BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS

Apprentices

Stephen McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many of the 79 apprentices employed by his Department are aged under 19.

Jo Swinson: Of the 37 apprentices working in BIS HQ three are aged 19 or below. These data are not currently collected for our agencies.

Arms Trade: Libya

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills when the Defence and Security Industry Day in Tripoli is; which (a) Royal Navy vessels and (b) UK companies are involved; and if he will make a statement.

Michael Fallon: For security reasons, we do not disclose details of Royal Navy ships' programmes in advance.
	The list of companies participating in the Defence and Security Industry Day is not yet complete and can be subject to change. After the event I will provide the requested information to the hon. Member and place a copy in the Libraries of the House.
	The UK Government supports responsible defence and security exports. Where export licences are required, licence applications will be examined case by case in the light of the exceptions to the current UN Arms Embargo on Libya and the Consolidated Criteria.

Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988

Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether full repeal of section 52 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 is required by Directive 2011/77/EU, with reference to Article 2 paragraph 7 of the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works.

Jo Swinson: As stated in the Impact Assessment “Copyright Protection for Designs” of 15 May 2012, the repeal of section 52 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 is required to clarify and update UK legislation and ensure that it is in line with EU law.

Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988

Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will review the one- in-one-out status of the repeal of section 52 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 with reference to Article 2 paragraph 7 of the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works.

Jo Swinson: The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, my right hon. Friend the Member for Twickenham (Vince Cable), has no plans to carry out such a review.
	This measure is not subject to the Government's One-In One-Out policy as it brings UK legislation into scope with EU legislation. All EU regulation is out of scope of "One-In One-Out".

Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988

Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the potential effects of the repeal of section 52 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 on the re-opening of the Design Museum in 2015.

Jo Swinson: No such assessment has been made.

Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988

Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the additional public funding that will be required by museums in order to meet new licensing obligations arising from the repeal of section 52 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

Jo Swinson: No assessment has been made. The Government has said that it will consult on transitional arrangements following the repeal of section 52. This issue will be considered as part of that consultation.

Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988

Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what criteria he will consider in deciding the terms of the transitional period for businesses and institutions following the repeal of section 52 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

Jo Swinson: The Government has said that it will consult on transitional provisions following the repeal of section 52 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, and it will take into account all relevant factors in making that decision.

Credit: Interest Rates

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many payday loan companies have been closed down by the Office of Fair Trading in each of the last five years.

Jo Swinson: The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) have, in the time period specified, revoked the licence of one payday loan company (MCO Capital in 2012) and imposed requirements on two others (CIM Technologies Ltd, trading as Toothfairy Finance and Safeloans Limited, trading as Paydayok, in November and December 2010). Last month Government strengthened OFT's enforcement powers by giving them a new power to suspend a consumer credit licence with immediate effect where there is an urgent need to.
	The OFT announced on 6 March 2013 the steps they are taking to tackle poor practice across the market which they found in their compliance review. Each of the leading 50 payday lenders, inspected as part of the compliance review and accounting for 90% of the payday market, will be given 12 weeks to change their business practices or risk losing their licences. The OFT also has specific enforcement action under way with more in the pipeline. This is in addition to the OFT writing to all payday lenders setting out their expectations of the industry and launching a consultation on a market investigation reference to look at wider market issues. Government and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) are also taking action to address the problems that consumers are experiencing in this market.

Graduates: Languages

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the supply of UK graduates with ASEAN language skills over the next decade.

David Willetts: Our higher education system is demand led and we do not forecast future student numbers in particular disciplines. Institutions make decisions on which courses to run informed by analysis of both student and employer demand.
	Information specifically referring to those recently qualifying in ASEAN language courses is not available.

Graduates: Pay

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the pay rates of graduates at (a) graduation, (b) age 31, (c) age 41, (d) age 51 and (e) age 61.

David Willetts: Analysis of the latest data from the Labour Force survey (LFS)—Quarter 4 (October-December) 2012—provides the following estimates for average annual earnings in the UK of those in full-time employment with a first degree as their highest qualification:
	
		
			 Age band Median salary (£) 
			 21-24 18,000 
			 25-34 28,000 
			 35-44 35,000 
			 45-54 39,000 
			 55-64 41,000 
		
	
	Given the LFS is a sample survey it cannot provide reliable estimates for specific ages; hence age bands are used above. The figures use age 21-24 as a proxy for recent graduates.

Higher Education: Crawley

Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what proportion of 18 to 24 year olds from Crawley constituency attended a higher education institution in (a) 2009, (b) 2010, (c) 2011 and (d) 2012.

David Willetts: Figures on progression to higher education are not published at parliamentary constituency level for individual years, nor for the age range requested.
	The estimated proportions of maintained schools pupils from West Sussex who progressed to Higher Education by age 19 are shown in the table.
	
		
			 Estimated proportions of maintained schools pupils from West Sussex who progressed to higher education by age 19 UK higher education institutions and English further education colleges 
			 Academic year Percentage entered HE 
			 2006/07 31 
			 2007/08 31 
			 2008/09 33 
			 2009/10 33 
			 Source: Matched data from the DfE National Pupil Database, the HESA Student Record and the SFA ILR 
		
	
	Figures are not available before 2006/07. Robust figures by parliamentary constituency are not available from this source.
	The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) have published rates of participation of young people in Higher Education over a five year span. HEFCE estimate that the progression rate by age 19 for Crawley parliamentary constituency was 28.1% in the period 2005/06 to 2009/10. This was lower than the rate for West Sussex (34.2%) and the overall rate for England (34.2%). HEFCE figures are not comparable with those produced by BIS as they use different methodology. HEFCE figures use population estimates while the BIS figures use matched data covering maintained schools pupils.
	Information on progression of pupils to Higher Education is available from the BIS Widening Participation statistical release of August 2012.
	http://www.bis.gov.uk/analysis/statistics/higher-education/official-statistics-releases/widening-participation-in-higher-education/widening-participation-in-higher-education-2012
	The HEFCE report on young participation is available from the following link:
	http://www.hefce.ac.Uk/pubs/year/2012/201226/#d.en.75676
	Detailed information is available at the following link:
	http://www.hefce.ac.uk/whatwedo/wp/ourresearch/polar/polar3data/

Indigo Public Affairs

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what meetings (a) he, (b) Ministers, (c) officials and (d) special political advisers of his Department have had with Indigo Public Affairs Ltd; and if he will publish full details of any such meetings.

Jo Swinson: Ministers' meetings with external organisations are published quarterly on the:
	www.gov.uk
	internet site and details are available via the following link:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-business-innovation-skills/series/bis-quarterly-publications-april-to-june-2012
	No meetings have been held between ministerial special advisers and Indigo Public Affairs Ltd.
	Information on any meetings held with the Department's officials could be provided only at disproportionate costs.

Minimum Wage

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills by how much and what percentage the minimum wage was increased in each year since its introduction.

Jo Swinson: Information on changes to the minimum wage rates since 1999 are set out in the following table.
	
		
			  Adult rate Youth development rate 16-17 year rate Apprentice rate 
			  £ per hour Percentage change £ per hour Percentage change £ per hour Percentage change £ per hour Percentage change 
			 1 October 2012 6.19 1.8 4.98 0.0 3.68 0.0 2.65 1.9 
			 1 October 2011 6.08 2.5 4.98 1.2 3.68 1.1 2.60 4.0 
			 1 October 2010 5.93 2.2 4.92 1.9 3.64 2.0 2.50 — 
			 1 October 2009 5.80 1.2 4.83 1.3 3.57 1.1 — — 
			 1 October 2008 5.73 3.8 4.77 3.7 3.53 3.8 — — 
			 1 October 2007 5.52 3.2 4.60 3.4 3.40 3.0 — — 
			 1 October 2006 5.35 5.9 4.45 4.7 3.30 10.0 — — 
			 1 October 2005 5.05 4.1 4.25 3.7 3.00 0.0 — — 
			 1 October 2004 4.85 7.8 4.10 7.9 3.00 — — — 
			 1 October 2003 4.50 7.1 3.80 5.6 — — — — 
			 1 October 2002 4.20 2.4 3.60 2.9 — — — — 
			 1 October 2001 4.10 10.8 3.50 9.4 — — — — 
			 1 October 2000 3.70 2.8 3.20 0.0 — — — — 
			 1 June 2000 3.60 0.0 3.20 6.7 — — — — 
			 1 April 1999 3.60 3.00 — — — — — —

Mobile Phones

Dai Havard: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills which company holds the largest contract to provide mobile telephony services to his Department; how much is paid each year under that contract; how many individual devices are covered by the contract; when the contract was awarded; and when and how the contract will next be reviewed.

Jo Swinson: Vodafone plc provides all mobile telephony services to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
	This contract was let in July 2011 via the Government Procurement Service Framework Agreement ‘Mobile Solutions II Catalogue Central Government Proposition’ and will run for four years. The contract is fixed for four years and can only be terminated by the Cabinet Office if they can prove (via a market benchmark exercise) it no longer offers value for money.
	Amounts paid to Vodafone each financial year under the contract are:
	1 July 2011 to 31 March 2012: £445,116.09
	1 April 2012 to 18 March 2013: £468,337.87
	The number of individual devices currently covered by the contract are:
	3G Broadband for use with laptop computers: 439
	Mobile phones: 627
	Blackberry devices: 1,012.

Overseas Students: Entry Clearances

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment his Department has made of the effect of the number of visa-holding foreign undergraduate and graduate students with visas on (a) economic growth and (b) average university funding.

David Willetts: We have not made any specific assessment on the effect that visa holding overseas students have made on economic growth. However, the value of further and higher education exports (which includes economic value brought to the economy by overseas students) was valued at £9 billion in 2009/09 and we estimate this will double by 2025.
	BIS recently released a report on HE Education Exports which can be found here:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/education-exports-estimating-their-value-to-the-uk
	No specific assessment of the effect of overseas visa holding students on average university funding has been made. However, in 2011/12, tuition fee income from non-EU students was worth around £3.2 billion in UK Higher Education Institutions, up from around £2.6 billion in 2009/10. This represents around 12% of total UK HEIs income or around 36% of all tuition fee income received by HEIs.

TRANSPORT

Commuters

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 23 January 2013, Official Report, column 446W, on commuters, what the (a) means and (b) usage of transport was for commuting to work in each of the last 30 years.

Norman Baker: Estimates of the usual method of travel to work for 1992 and 2002 to 2011 by country and English region of residence from the Labour Force Survey are published in table TSGB0108, downloadable from:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/34987/tsab0108.xls
	Data for other years is not available.

Cycling: Pedestrian Areas

Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department is taking to prevent cyclists riding illegally on the pavement.

Norman Baker: The enforcement of cycling offences is an operational matter for the police. The police can issue a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) of £30 or if pursued through the courts the maximum fine is £500.

Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many cases were decided outside of the 90-working day target period by the Medical Group in the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Stephen Hammond: The following table shows the number of cases that were closed outside of the 90 day target. These cases are generally complex and can involve ongoing communication with the customer and their doctors. Some cases also need medical testing or an on road driving assessment.
	
		
			  Total cases closed Cases closed after 90 working days Percentage of cases 
			 2007-08 629,776 41,816 6.6 
			 2008-09 605,443 37,695 6.2 
			 2009-10 654,145 42,045 6.4 
			 2010-11 730,498 53,912 7.4 
			 2011-12 695,263 53,368 7.7

Great Western Railway Line

John Howell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport by what date he expects all railway stations on the Great Western route to have step-free access to platforms.

Norman Baker: holding answer 18 March 2013
	There is no programme for all stations on the Great Western route to have step free access. We do however take improving access at stations seriously and have therefore continued with the national Access for All programme, launched in 2006. This includes eight projects on Great Western worth around £17 million, and five of these are these are now complete. We have also announced £100 million to extend the programme until 2019 and further Great Western stations will be considered for this funding.

Indigo Public Affairs

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what meetings (a) he, (b) Ministers, (c) officials and (d) special political advisers have had with Indigo Public Affairs Ltd; and if he will publish full details of any such meetings.

Norman Baker: Details of ministerial meetings with external organisations are published every quarter and this information can be accessed on the Gov.uk website via the following link:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ministerial-transparency-data#meetings
	To ascertain if there have been any meetings between officials or special advisers and representatives from Indigo Public Affairs Ltd would incur disproportionate costs.

Pay

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much was paid to officials in (a) his Department and (b) its non-departmental public bodies in bonuses and other payments in addition to salary in each of the last five years; how many officials received such payments; and what the monetary value was of the 20 largest payments made in each year.

Norman Baker: The amount paid to officials in (a) the Department for Transport and its six Executive Agencies and (b) its non-departmental public bodies in non-consolidated performance payments and other payments in addition to salary in each of the last 4 years is shown in the table below. The amount spent in 2008/09 can only be provided at disproportionate cost.
	
		
			 £ 
			  Department for Transport Non-departmental public bodies 
			 2009/10 25,791,157 1,050,888 
			 2010/11 24,468,126 1,072,427 
			 2011/12 24,968,877 1,089,421 
			 2012/13 21,883,239 1,144,632 
		
	
	The number of officials who received these payments can only be provided at disproportionate cost.
	The monetary value of the 20 largest payments in each of these years is shown in the table below, these payments include those made by the Department for Transport and its non-departmental public bodies.
	
		
			 £ 
			  2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 
			 1 65,450 53,768 16,750 21,093 
			 2 40,213 40,213 14,206 17,052 
			 3 30,203 35,700 12,407 15,334 
			 4 28,801 25,000 11,491 14,765 
			 5 23,964 24,962 10,000 13,848 
			 6 23,555 23,740 9,760 13,500 
			 7 22,483 23,242 9,611 12,500 
			 8 21,624 22,890 9,500 11,568 
			 9 21,529 22,886 9,500 10,000 
			 10 21,517 21,219 9,500 9,500 
			 11 21,305 21,179 9,500 9,500 
			 12 20,678 17,261 9,487 9,500 
			 13 20,441 16,381 9,248 9,500 
			 14 19,208 15,521 9,206 8,550 
			 15 18,794 15,000 8,075 8,137 
			 16 18,612 14,810 7,695 8,075 
			 17 17,833 14,408 7,000 7,836 
			 18 16,407 13,966 7,000 7,090 
			 19 16,400 13,663 7,000 7,000 
			 20 16,088 13,129 7,000 7,000 
		
	
	Since 2010-11 the Government has restricted performance related payments for senior civil servants to the top 25% of performers (from 65% in previous years), saving the taxpayer around £15 million. They are only paid to reward excellence, for example to recognise and incentivise those responsible for delivering high quality public services and savings to the taxpayer. Pay decisions for non-senior staff are delegated to individual departments, enabling them the tailor reward packages that meet their own workforce and business needs.

Pay

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what allowances and subsidies in addition to salary were available to officials in (a) his Department and (b) its non-departmental public bodies in each of the last five years; and what the monetary value was of such payments and allowances in each such year.

Norman Baker: Within the Department for Transport, its six Executive Agencies and its non-departmental public bodies there are a number of different allowances and payments available to employees who meet the relevant criteria.
	Information on categories of payment and the monetary values of each category can only be provided at disproportionate cost.
	The table below shows the amount spent on allowances in (a) the Department for Transport and its six Executive Agencies and (b) its non-departmental public bodies in each of the last 4 years. The amount spent in 2008/09 can only be provided at disproportionate cost.
	
		
			 £ 
			  Department for Transport Non-Departmental Public Bodies 
			 2009/10 20,410,992.76 507,042.24 
			 2010/11 19,041,930.24 591,194.76 
			 2011/12 17,859,101.58 563,576.61 
			 2012/13 15,583,100.31 661,220.78 
		
	
	The Department is currently reviewing terms and conditions as part of the Civil Service Reform Plan in order to deliver a modern employment offer for the Civil Service. This includes a review of allowances and other such payments.

Railways: Litter

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with Network Rail on their capacity to clear litter and rubbish from land in their ownership bordering railway lines.

Simon Burns: The Secretary of State for Transport, my right hon. Friend the Member for Derbyshire Dales (Mr McLoughlin), has held no discussions with Network Rail on line-side litter clearance. Network Rail is a private sector company limited by guarantee and this is an operational matter for the company, in which Ministers have no powers to intervene.
	Network Rail has its own operational policies on litter and rubbish clearance, consistent with current legislation. It operates under a network licence enforced and amended by the independent Office of Rail Regulation.

Recruitment

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many officials were recruited to (a) his Department and (b) each of its non-departmental public bodies in each of the last five years.

Norman Baker: The number of officials recruited over the last five years by the Department for Transport and its six Executive Agencies can be found in the table below:
	
		
			 Financial Year Other Government Dept Transfers External Candidates Total 
			 2008/09 30 481 521 
			 2009/10 52 602 654 
			 2010/11 28 328 356 
			 2011/12 40 202 242 
			 2012/13 15 445 460 
		
	
	The number recruited by the Department's non-departmental public bodies can be found in the table below:
	
		
			 Financial Year Appointments 
			 2008/09 53 
			 2009/10 48 
			 2010/11 55 
			 2011/12 57 
			 2012/13 167

Roads: Accidents

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many people were killed in road traffic accidents on (a) motorways, (b) A roads and (c) B roads in each of the last 10 years.

Stephen Hammond: In each of the last 10 years in Great Britain, the number of people killed in reported personal injury accidents on (a) motorways, (b) A roads and (c) B roads were as follows:
	
		
			 Fatalities 
			 Road Type 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 
			 Motorways 224 217 164 204 187 183 158 132 118 106 
			 A roads 2,005 2,024 1,824 1,797 1,815 1,611 1,408 1,267 1,050 1,109 
			 B roads 458 506 465 442 416 454 359 330 265 271 
		
	
	Data for the year 2012 will be available in June 2013.

Roads: East Sussex

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what additional funding has been provided to his Department to mitigate any environmental effects of the Bexhill-Hastings Link Road;
	(2)  how much his Department has spent on compulsory purchase orders for the Bexhill-Hastings Link Road to date;
	(3)  what land in north east Bexhill has been brought by commercial and property developers following the decision to build the Bexhill-Hastings Link Road;
	(4)  how much funding for the Bexhill-Hastings Link Road has been provided by the Government;
	(5)  how much has been contributed by third parties to the building of the Bexhill-Hastings Link Road to date;
	(6)  what land in north east Bexhill was bought by commercial and property developers in the 12 months prior to the decision to build the Bexhill-Hastings Link Road.

Norman Baker: The promoter of the Bexhill-Hastings Link Road is East Sussex County Council. The Council is responsible for delivering the scheme and for obtaining the necessary statutory consents such as compulsory purchase orders.
	In March 2012 the Department provisionally approved a maximum £56.85 million funding contribution towards the scheme. This is subject to final approval and the Department is currently considering a final funding application from East Sussex County Council submitted in December 2012.
	That application includes a breakdown of scheme costs (including land and compensation costs) and other funding sources.
	It also includes a document (Annex 12) entitled ‘Developer Interest’ which provides an update of the proposed development at North East Bexhill.
	The total scheme cost includes an estimated £21 million for environmental mitigation measures, in addition, the Department specified a condition to its provisional funding approval to the Council to make additional provision for further offsetting environmental and biodiversity measures. These are described in Annex 11 of the Council's application for final funding.
	The application and supporting documents are available on the Council's website at the following link:
	http://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/roadsandtransport/bexhillhastingslinkroad/fundingbids.htm

Roads: East Sussex

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reasons he has not launched a new public consultation on the proposed Bexhill-Hastings Link Road.

Norman Baker: The public and stakeholders have had many opportunities to contribute to decision-making about the scheme and have been consulted at key stages. In 2004 the scheme promoter, East Sussex County Council, presented route options for a link road for public consultation. The scheme was the subject of a planning application in 2007 and a public inquiry in 2009. In 2011 the Council updated its consultation with the public by holding six focus groups with participants drawn randomly.
	Between 9 September 2011 and 14 October 2011 the Department provided an opportunity for the public to comment on the Council's “best and final” funding bid submitted in September 2011.
	In December 2011 the Department initiated a three month review of transport options to deliver regeneration and growth to the Bexhill/Hastings area. This involved further consultation with supporters and opponents of the scheme through correspondence, a plenary meeting and individual bi-lateral meetings with departmental officials.
	The Department is currently considering the Council's final funding application submitted in December 2012. Any monies expended to date have therefore been at the Council's own risk.

Shipping: Qualifications

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will conduct an assessment of the effect which the lack of an internationally recognised STCW Certificate of Competency for officers on workboats under 500 gross tonnage has on the UK workboat industry.

Stephen Hammond: The National Workboat Association (NWA) has been in contact with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) on the matter of introducing a Certificate of Competency for Masters of Workboats of less than 500 gross tonnage operating in the unlimited area. The MCA is taking this forward in conjunction with the NWA. The development of this Certificate has my full support and as such I have allocated extra resources to expedite the required regulatory procedures.
	In recognition of the importance of this matter, I have agreed to meet with industry to discuss their concerns. An assessment of the benefits of this new Certificate of Competency is an integral part of the required impact assessment and is currently being drafted by the MCA.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Alcoholic Drinks: Prices

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will make a statement on the age of the data used in the Sheffield Model underpinning the Government's consultation for a minimum unit price for alcohol. [R]

Damian Green: The university of Sheffield's School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR) model has been used to assess the impact of minimum unit pricing on alcohol consumption and alcohol harms. This model was developed in 2009 using the best available data at the time. Full information on the data used for the Sheffield Alcohol Policy Model Version 2.0 is set out in their published report, which can accessed from:
	http://www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/live/11828/46443/46443.pdf
	Where possible, the Government has uprated the price data to account for inflation. Full details of this adjustment are set out in the consultation stage impact assessment for minimum unit pricing which can be accessed via:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/about-us/consultations/alcohol-consultation/ia-minimum-unit-pricing?view=Binary

Assaults on Police

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers have been hospitalised following violent assaults in the line of duty in the last 12 months.

Damian Green: The following table provides figures on the number of police officers in England and Wales assaulted, by severity of injury, between April 2011 and March 2012. This is the latest 12 months for which information is available.
	It is not possible to determine whether police officers have been hospitalised.
	
		
			 Number of police officers in England and Wales assaulted, by severity of injury, 2011-12 
			  Number 
			 Minor or no injury 7,241 
			 Serious injury 263 
			 Deaths 0 
			 Notes: 1. Figures are provisional and have not been verified by police forces. 2. Figures are provided on a headcount basis. 3. These figures include those assaults on officers off duty, whilst acting in their capacity as police officers. 4. Data on assaults are taken from the self-reported assault data held within HR or health and safety systems, or similar. 5. Minor injury are those assaults for which the charge would be under section 47 Offences Against the Persons Act (assault occasioning bodily harm), section 38 Offences Against the Persons Act (assault with intent to resist arrest), sections 89(1) (assault on a constable and assault on person assisting a constable) and 89(2) Police Act 1996 (resisting or wilfully obstructing a constable in the execution of his duty) and section 39 Criminal Justice Act 1998 (common assault and battery). 6. Serious injury are those assaults for which the charge would be under section 18 (wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm) and section 20 Offences Against the Person Act 1861 (inflicting grievous bodily harm, with intent and malicious wounding).

Asylum: Children

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she is taking to end the detention of children seeking asylum in the UK.

Mark Harper: The Government made a commitment to end child detention for immigration purposes and has met that commitment by radically changing the system to ensure that the welfare of the child is at the heart of the decision and returns process. In exceptional circumstances, however, unaccompanied children may be held very briefly while alternative arrangements are made for their care and safety. To release unaccompanied children before social workers have arrived to collect them could potentially put them at greater risk.

Customs: Drugs

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what amount of class (a) A, (b) B and (c) C drugs were confiscated at UK sea ports between 2010 and 2012.

Mark Harper: The following table shows drug seizures from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2012 at sea ports:
	
		
			 Drug class Quantity (tonnes)(1) 
			 Class A 5.7 
			 Class B 56.4 
			 Class C 0.3 
			 (1) Conversion factors have been applied to convert tablets and litres to kilos Note: The figures quoted are management information which are subject to internal quality checks and may be subject to change. 
		
	
	There are no published data for drug seizures at sea ports. However, I refer my hon. Friend to the Border Force publication for drugs seizures within the UK and the Home Office Statistical Bulletin—‘Seizures of Drugs in England and Wales’—which contain data regarding drug seizures. However, these do not identify seizures made at sea ports.
	Border Force figures
	http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/aboutus/drug-seizures/
	Home Office Statistics
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/science-research-statistics/research-statistics/police-research/hosb1212/hosb1212?view=Binary

Deportation: Uganda

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what reports she has received on the death of Jackie Nanyonjo who was recently deported to Uganda; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what recent assessment she has made of the conduct of the UK Border Agency contractor, Reliance, during the deportation of Jackie Nanyonjo;
	(3)  what discussions she has had with the UK Border Agency concerning the deportation of Jackie Nanyonjo to Uganda.

Mark Harper: We are aware of reports from Uganda of the death of Ms Nanyonjo over a month after her removal from the UK. The UK Border Agency has asked the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for assistance and until the facts are known it would be inappropriate to comment further.
	The UK Border Agency takes the welfare of all detainees very seriously and it has not received any complaints regarding the removal of Jackie Nanyonjo.
	However, the UK Border Agency has asked the Professional Standards Unit to undertake a review of the documentation and CCTV footage available for the removal.
	The UK Border Agency detention and escorting service provider changed their name on 14 January 2013 from Reliance to Tascor Services Ltd.

Domestic Visits: Prime Minister

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average cost to a local constabulary was of providing security during a constituency visit from the Prime Minister in the last year for which figures are available.

Damian Green: Information on the average cost to local constabularies of providing security for constituency visits by the Prime Minister is not held centrally by the Home Office.

Entry Clearances

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what the average waiting time was for Business Visitor Visa applications in (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012;
	(2)  what the average waiting time was for Family Visitor Visa applications in (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012;
	(3)  what the average waiting time was for student visitor visa applications in (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012;
	(4)  what the average waiting time was for general visitor visa applications in (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012.

Mark Harper: holding answer 18 March 2013
	The information the hon. Member has requested is shown in the following table:
	
		
			 Visa application processing times (working days), January 2010 to December 2012 
			 Visa type 2010 2011 2012 
			 General visit 5 6 6 
			 Business visit 5 5 5 
			 Family visit 7 8 8 
			 Student visit 6 7 8 
			 Notes: 1. All figures quoted have been derived from management information and are therefore provisional and subject to change. This information has not been quality assured under National Statistics protocols. 2. Figures relate to individuals. 3. Data relate to all specified visa applications processed between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2012. 4. Processing time is based on the average number of working days from biometric enrolment to decision date. Figures relate to completed applications only. 5. Student visas include visitor visas for English Language students, 6. Data generated on 14 March 2013.

Entry Clearances: Business

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) visas were issued in (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012.

Mark Harper: Following changes to the Immigration Rules the Points Based System Tier 1 (Graduate entrepreneur) route was introduced in April 2012.
	Applications in the Tier 1 (Graduate entrepreneur) route can currently only be made from within the UK. The available statistics relate to the number of grants of an extension of stay in the Tier 1 (Graduate entrepreneur) route and are published in table ex.01.q in the Home Office statistical release 'Immigration Statistics'. 27 applications were granted in 2012, excluding dependants.
	The latest Home Office immigration statistics on extensions of stay are published in the release Immigration Statistics October-December, which is available from the Library of the House and on the Department's website at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/science-research-statistics/research-statistics/immigration-asylum-research/immigration-q4-2012/

Hezbollah

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment she has made of (a) fundraising and (b) recruitment by Herzbollah in the (i) UK and (ii) EU.

James Brokenshire: I cannot comment on intelligence assessments.

Hezbollah

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether she plans to proscribe Hezbollah.

James Brokenshire: The UK proscribed Hezbollah's External Security Organisation in 2001. In 2008 the proscription was extended to include the whole of Hezbollah's military apparatus, namely the Jihad Council and all the units reporting to it.

Immigrants: Detainees

Ian Paisley Jnr: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  when detainees with an address in Northern Ireland are granted bail or temporary release from an immigration removal centre in England or Scotland, which body covers the cost of their return to their address in Northern Ireland;
	(2)  when a detainee with an address in Northern Ireland successfully challenges their detention in an immigration removal centre in England or Scotland, which body covers the cost of their return to their residence in Northern Ireland.

Mark Harper: When a detainee held in an immigration centre in England or Scotland needs to be released to an address in Northern Ireland, or any other UK address, the immigration centre operator (either a public or private sector service provider operated centre) issues the detainee with a travel warrant, which allows the detainee to travel to his nearest rail station. In the case of Northern Ireland this warrant would cover the cost of the ferry between the mainland and Northern Ireland. The money for the warrant forms part of the operating cost for any immigration removal centre and is therefore fully funded by the UK Border Agency.

Immigration

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what assessment her Department has made of the potential effects of the introduction of a points system for immigration similar to that operated in Australia on employment rates in the UK;
	(2)  what assessment her Department has made of the potential effect of (a) increased and (b) decreased immigration on the rate of employment of British citizens.

Mark Harper: The UK implemented a points-based system (PBS) for economic migration in 2008. Since 2010, the PBS has been systematically over-hauled to ensure it supports a selective immigration system that delivers the brightest and best migrants the UK needs.
	Net migration has fallen to 163,000 in the year to June 2012, down from a peak of 255,000 in the year to September 2010. At the same time, recent Labour Force Survey figures show a rise in employment for UK nationals, but much smaller growth in numbers of foreign nationals in employment.
	In January 2012, the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) published an analysis of the impacts of migration, which included an analysis of labour market impacts, it can be found at:
	http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/aboutus/workingwithus/indbodies/mac/reports-publications/

Independent Police Complaints Commission

David Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 12 March 2013, Official Report, column 148W, on the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), from what date she expects the transfer of resources from individual police professional standards departments to the IPCC to have taken place.

Damian Green: No date has yet been agreed.

Members: Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to reply to the letter to her dated 7 February 2013, from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr Atta Ullah Khan.

Mark Harper: I wrote to the right hon. Member on 18 March 2013.

Metropolitan Police

Nick de Bois: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  if she will take steps to ensure the continuation of the existing travel agreement between the Association of Train Operating Companies and the Metropolitan Police Service;
	(2)  what representations she has received on the continuation of the existing travel agreement between the Association of Train Operating Companies and the Metropolitan Police Service; and if she will make a statement.

Damian Green: holding answer 18 March 2013
	The arrangement with the Association of Train Operating Companies is a matter for the Metropolitan Police, as a local agreement with that force.

Recruitment

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many officials were recruited to (a) her Department and (b) each of its non-departmental public bodies in each of the last five years.

James Brokenshire: The information is as follows:
	(a) The number of officials recruited to the Home Department, including Executive agencies, appears in Table 1.
	(b) The number of officials recruited to each of our non-departmental public bodies in each of the last five years, appears in Table 2.
	This response includes data for the Independent Safeguarding Authority, Independent Police Complaints Commission, Serious Organised Crime Agency and the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner. Although the Equality and Human Rights Commission was sponsored by the Home Office during this period, data on the recruitment of officials will be included in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport response.
	This response does not include data for the Security Industry Authority and the National Policing Improvement Agency as to do so would be at disproportionate cost.
	
		
			 Table 1: Home Office new employees 2008-09 to 2011-12 
			 Financial year Number of new employees 
			 2008-09 1,113 
			 2009-10 1,814 
			 2010-11 427 
			 2011-12 175 
		
	
	
		
			 Table 2: Non-departmental public bodies 2008-09 to 2011-12 
			 Financial year Number of New employees 
			 2008-09 864 
			 2009-10 779 
			 2010-11 382 
			 2011-12 115

Sussex Police

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of criminal allegations investigated by Sussex Police resulted in (a) a file being sent to the Crown Prosecution Service and (b) a successful prosecution in each of the last five years.

Damian Green: holding answer 18 March 2013
	Information on criminal allegations investigated by the police is not available centrally. In addition, we are not able to provide figures on the number of files sent to the Crown Prosecution Service.
	The available information from the police recorded crime statistics collected by the Home Office relates to all offences recorded by the police in Sussex and detected by means of a charge or summons and is given in Table 1. Statistics for defendants prosecuted in the Sussex Area have been provided by the Crown Prosecution Service and are given in Table 2.
	
		
			 Table 1: Offences recorded by the police in Sussex and detected by means of a charge or summons 
			 Number of offences 
			 Financial year Offences recorded Detected by means of a charge or summons 
			 2007-08 119,393 17,595 
			 2008-09 107,591 15,790 
			 2009-10 101,200 16,768 
			 2010-11 97,134 16,761 
			 2011-12 96,546 15,124 
		
	
	
		
			 Table 2: Volume and proportion of defendants prosecuted in Sussex 
			  Convictions Unsuccessful  
			  Number Percentage Number Percentage Total 
			 2007-08 19,745 83.6 3,881 16.4 23,626 
			 2008-09 18,641 86.1 3,019 13.9 21,660 
			 2009-10 18,154 87.0 2,715 13.0 20,869 
			 2010-11 17,581 86.4 2,770 13.6 20,351 
			 2011-12 15,685 86.5 2,451 13.5 18,136

Telephone Services

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) 0800, (b) 0808, (c) 0844, (d) 0845 and (e) 0870 telephone numbers for the public are in use by (i) her Department and (ii) the agencies for which she is responsible.

James Brokenshire: Information on the use of these numbers by the Home Office and its agencies is set out in the following table.
	
		
			  In use 
			 Home Office  
			 (a) 800 0 
			 (b) 808 0 
			 (c) 844 0 
			 (d) 845 0 
			 (e) 870 4 
			   
			 UK Border Agency  
			 (a) 800 1 
			 (b) 808 0 
			 (c) 844 0 
			 (d) 845 3 
			 (e) 870 3 
			   
			 Identity and Passport Service  
			 (a) 800 0 
			 (b) 808 0 
			 (c) 844 0 
			 (d) 845 12 
			 (e) 870 0

Telephone Services

Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether her Department's customer service telephone lines are restricted to those beginning 0870.

James Brokenshire: The Department uses a range of prefixes for its customer service telephone lines, namely 0800, 0845, 0300 and 0870.

UK Border Agency

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost was of overtime incurred by staff at the UK Border Agency in (a) 2008, (b) 2009, (c) 2010 and (d) 2011.

Mark Harper: holding answer 7 March 2013
	The cost of overtime per calendar year in the UK Border Agency (including Border Force at that time) was as follows:
	
		
			  £ million 
			 (a) 2008 7.994 
			 (b) 2009 12.628 
			 (c) 2010 7.265 
			 (d) 2011 5.541 
		
	
	The information provided is for staff at Grade 6 and below in the UK Border Agency. Senior civil servants are not entitled to overtime payments.

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

Security

David Amess: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of Commons Commission, 
	(1)  whether police officers and security officers working outside the north end of Westminster Hall are provided with waterproof clothing; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  if the Commission will arrange for a police box outside the north end of Westminster Hall to protect police and security officers on duty from adverse weather conditions; what representations he has received from (a) the Police Federation and (b) other representatives of police and security officers about the installation of a police box at that location; and if he will make a statement.

John Thurso: Police and security officers at the Palace of Westminster are employees of the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) under contract to the House; the issuing of uniform is a matter for the MPS. The hon. Member may wish to raise the matter with Chief Superintendent Ed Bateman.
	Neither police managers nor the House authorities are aware of any request having been made by members of police staff for the provision of a police box outside the north door of Westminster Hall. Police managers tell us that they do not consider that there is a convincing argument for the provision of a shelter of this kind.
	The MPS tell us that the visibility and availability of MPS staff is their paramount concern. To be a visible deterrent and in a position to act in response to any incidents, officers need to be outside for the majority of the time including peak times. Where appropriate, additional shelters are provided along with guidance as to when officers can use them and changes that can be made during bad weather.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Crime and Courts Bill (HL)

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions she has had with the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland about the Crime and Courts Bill and its application to Northern Ireland.

Michael Penning: The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, my right hon. Friend the Member for Chipping Barnet (Mrs Villiers), and I have regular discussions with the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland about all matters affecting national security in Northern Ireland. The Northern Ireland Office has also been in contact with the Police Service of Northern Ireland about provisions of the Bill which have an impact on the PSNI. There have been a number of operational discussions and workshops between the National Crime Agency and the Police Service of Northern Ireland in Belfast.

Organised Crime

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment she has made of the potential consequences for tackling organised crime of the decision to disapply provisions of the Crime and Courts Bill from Northern Ireland.

Michael Penning: The overall impact of the decision to disapply provisions of the Crime and Courts Bill from Northern Ireland will depend on the alternative arrangements made by the Northern Ireland Executive. However, as my hon. Friend the Minister of State at the Home Office has made clear, this decision will have serious implications for the fight against serious and organised crime in Northern Ireland and the integrity of the asset recovery regime.
	The Government will continue to make every effort to minimise the operational impact of the Executive's decision and to ensure that the people of Northern Ireland benefit as much as possible from the National Crime Agency.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Cinemas: Hearing Impairment

Michael Ellis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent discussions she has had with cinema owners and proprietors about increasing the use of digital projection equipment so as to aid the subtitling of films for those who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Edward Vaizey: My officials have remained in regular contact with the cinema industry through the Government's eAccessibility Forum on the issue of Subtitling and Audio Description (AD) of films for those who are deaf or hard of hearing. Figures from the industry trade body, the Cinema Exhibitors' Association, indicate that there are now around 1,000 Subtitled and Audio Description (AD) screenings every week in UK cinemas, an increase of over 500% in the last five years.
	With the increasing roll-out of digital projection technology across the UK sector, the capability to screen subtitled and audio described films is likely to increase over the next 12 months.
	However, given general audience resistance to subtitling, cinemas are also actively exploring a range of ‘personalised’ subtitling equipment, which they hope will begin appearing in UK cinemas in the next couple of years. This should further increase the accessibility of cinema for disabled customers.

David Livingstone

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether she plans to make arrangements for the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the birth of Dr Livingstone.

Edward Vaizey: I welcome the enormous contribution that Dr Livingstone made as an explorer, writer, missionary, medic and anti-slavery campaigner. I am delighted that planning for the celebration of the 200th anniversary of his birth is being carried out by David Livingstone 200, an umbrella organisation which is overseeing the anniversary. More information can be found on its website at the following link:
	www.davidlivingstone200.org

Heritage Lottery Fund

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what Heritage Lottery Fund provision is available for restoring and improving urban parks.

Edward Vaizey: HLF provides lottery funding for parks through a range of programmes:
	The Parks for People programme awards grants from £100,000 to £5 million to conserve historic public parks and cemeteries, and involve the local community in the site's long term management and activities. HLF has been funding parks since 1996, and, in 2006, the Big Lottery Fund (BIG) joined the initiative, joint-funding projects in England. Over the last 18 years, around £650 million has been awarded to over 770 parks across the UK; £120 million of this amount has been awarded to parks in London. In 2013-14, £32 million will be committed to new projects across the UK.
	In October 2012, the Parks for People programme was re-launched, aligning with HLF's new strategic framework, to fund projects which make a lasting difference to heritage, people and communities. For the first time, historic cemeteries are also able to apply for funding, the application process has been simplified, and HLF can fund up to 95% of project costs, which can include both capital works and activities. Furthermore, volunteer time can contribute towards match funding and greater emphasis is placed on improving long term park management, developing skills, and making local communities better places to live, work and visit.
	Parks and urban green spaces can also receive funding for focused capital or activity projects through our general programmes, such as 'Heritage Grants' (awards from £100,000 upwards), 'Our Heritage' (£10,000 to £100,000) and the new 'Sharing Heritage' programme (£3,000 to £10,000). These small grant programmes offer opportunities for community groups, park Friends and user groups to apply quickly and deliver projects themselves, building their skills, capacity and achieving outcomes for the local area. The recently-launched 'Catalyst: Building fundraising capacity' programme offers grants of £3,000 to £10,000 to heritage organisations (including park user groups) to develop fundraising skills and private-giving initiatives. We are also soon to launch 'Start-up Grants' (£3,000 to £10,000) to support voluntary or community groups who are taking on new responsibility for looking after or engaging people with heritage.

Internet: Children

Andrew Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps the Government is taking to ensure adequate online protection is provided on mobile devices for children who access the internet.

Edward Vaizey: Through the UK Council for Child Internet Safety, UKCCIS, the Government is already working with the mobile phone industry to increase the availability and awareness of parental controls on mobile handsets. Additionally, in its response to the Department for Education's consultation on internet parental controls published in December last year, the Government asked all of the ICT industries, including retailers and device manufacturers, to work together to develop universally-available, family-friendly internet access which is easy to use.
	This will build on safeguards already in place for mobile devices. In 2004, mobile network operators, through the Mobile Broadband Group, published a ‘UK code of practice for the self-regulation of new forms of content on mobiles’ (including access to internet browsing and video and picture messaging). This was further updated in 2009 to cover wider internet access (including access to further visual content, mobile gaming and chat rooms). This code requires operators to offer a filter for mobile handsets so that access to inappropriate content via the internet can be restricted. As a result, the majority of handsets sold in the UK, including all of those sold as pay-as-you-go, are sold with filters activated.

Leave

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many officials in (a) her Department and (b) each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies qualify for privilege days; and what the total cost to the public purse was of the number of privilege days utilised each year by such officials.

Hugh Robertson: All DCMS employees are entitled to 2.5 days privilege holidays, in line with the rest of the civil service, as follows:
	Maundy Thursday (half day)
	The Queen's Birthday (one day)
	Christmas/New Year period (one day)
	The total cost to the public purse for the financial years is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Financial year 
			  2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 (forecast) 
			 Average FTE 456.9 425.9 330 
			 Average Salary (includes SCS and employer's cost such as NI and Pensions) (£) 75,393 74,562 62,449 
			 Cost of privilege days per employee (£) 516.39 510.70 171.09 
			 Total Cost (£) 235,938.59 217,507.13 56,459.70 
		
	
	We do not hold central records for our non-departmental public bodies.

Sick Leave

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many days (a) her Department and (b) each of its non-departmental public bodies has lost to staff sickness in each of the last five years; and what estimate she has made of the cost of such absence in each year.

Hugh Robertson: The following table shows the proportion of days, on average, staff were absent as a result of ill health in each of the last five financial years.
	
		
			 Financial year 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 
			 Total average working days lost 2.1 3.3 4.8 4.9 4.2 
			 Estimated cost of such absence per employee (£) 476.19 748.30 1,088.44 1,111.11 952.38 
		
	
	For 2011-12 the civil service wide sickness rate was 7.6 average working days lost.
	DCMS is committed to the health and welfare of its staff, helping them to stay healthy and reducing the need for sick leave. Support is provided to staff returning from long-term sick leave, referring them to occupational health, to advise on how best to facilitate a return to work and offering access to an Employee Assistance programme, for independent advice and support.
	We do not hold central records for our non-departmental public bodies.

Termination of Employment

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many officials in (a) her Department and (b) each of its non-departmental public bodies have left that body due to (i) resignation, (ii) retirement, (iii) redundancy, (iv) transferral to another public sector post and (v) another reason in each of the last five years.

Hugh Robertson: The number of employees who have left DCMS due to (i) resignation, (ii) retirement, (iii) redundancy, (iv) transfer to another public sector post and (v) another reason in each of the last five financial years is shown in the following table:
	
		
			 Financial year Resignation Retirement Voluntary redundancy Transfer to another public sector post Another reason 
			 2012-13 to date 19 0 48 45 22 
			 2011-12 6 3 27 21 11 
			 2010-11 7 1 20 14 4 
			 2009-10 19 2 0 37 7 
			 2008-09 24 5 0 41 7 
		
	
	We do not hold central records for non-departmental public bodies.

ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Arctic

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what modelling his Department has carried out on the effects of loss of Arctic ice on the world's climate; and what the conclusions of any such modelling were.

Gregory Barker: The Department funds research by the Met Office Hadley Centre to improve representations of Arctic sea-ice in its climate and earth system models.
	Recent modelling by the Met Office Hadley Centre and several other centres, worldwide present a range of dates for an essentially sea-ice free Arctic in late summer. We understand that this is now considered possible as early as 2025 to 2030 but may be much later in the century.
	The Department recognises the importance of Arctic change to global climate and is currently funding research at the Met Office Hadley Centre and in collaboration with the NERC Arctic Research Programme to understand better the impacts of reduced sea-ice on potential methane release and possible implications for European weather and climate. This work is on-going.

Electricity Generation

David Mowat: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will take steps to ensure that any measures to support the functioning of, and access to, the electricity market implemented under the powers provided in Chapter 6 of Part 1 of the Energy Bill will be open to all market participants and not limited to (a) specific technologies or (b) those accessing specific market intervention mechanisms such as a contract for differences FiT.

John Hayes: The Government is taking these powers to enable us to intervene if it is appropriate to do so in support of the Government's energy policy objectives. We will consider the applicability of any possible measures if it is shown that intervention is necessary.

Electricity Generation

David Mowat: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change in what ways he intends that the electricity market reform programme will ensure that market participation from demand-side activities and embedded generation is improved.

John Hayes: We have already confirmed that Demand Side Response measures will be able to participate in the capacity market. In addition, we recently consulted on a range of options to deliver permanent reductions in electricity demand. The consultation sought views on range of approaches including financial incentives alongside a range of non-financial options. The consultation closed on 31 January and we will announce the policy approach in time to make amendments to the Energy Bill if appropriate.
	The Government is committed to ensuring that all generators are able to participate in the market. Our assessment is that Contracts for Difference will provide significant benefits to all generators due to the way that price risk is dealt with. Independent generators have raised some particular concerns and we have included powers in the Energy Bill to allow the Government to intervene if the market does not respond as we expect.

Energy Supply

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what consideration he has given to the development of local smart grids in securing a sustainable energy future for the UK.

John Hayes: Smart grids have an important role to play in keeping energy bills down and supporting our low carbon future. Smart technologies and approaches will help Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) to avoid or defer the need for expensive grid reinforcement and support distributed generation. They will also help homes and communities to manage the energy use more effectively in order to reduce their energy bills.
	In 2011, DECC and Ofgem, the energy regulator, set up the Smart Grid Forum to coordinate policy across the sector. Last year, it commissioned analysis to understand better the value that smart grid technologies can deliver, and concluded that they could drive down network costs by up to £1l billion in the period to 2050.
	Furthermore, the rollout of smart meters across Great Britain from next year will provide a critical platform for the development of a smart grid by providing better information and improving communication between consumers, electricity suppliers and network companies.
	The UK is also supporting innovation of smart technologies and commercial arrangements through a number of funding streams. In particular, Ofgem's Low Carbon Networks Fund has made £500 million available to networks over five years (2010-2015) to trial new technologies and approaches.

Energy: Meters

Chris Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the number of households in the UK with prepayment (a) gas and (b) electricity meters.

Gregory Barker: The independent regulator, Ofgem, monitors and publishes information about the use of prepayment meters in its Social Obligations Annual Reports and Domestic suppliers' quarterly social obligations data reports. In Q2 of 2012 (latest data to be published) there were 4.2 million electricity prepayment meter and 3 million gas prepayment meter consumers in Great Britain:
	http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Sustainability/SocAction/Monitoring/SoObMonitor/Documents1/Domestic %20suppliers%20quarterly%20debt%20and%20disconnections %20Q1%20and%20Q2%202012.pdf

Energy: Meters

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps he is taking to inform consumers in (a) Witham constituency, (b) Essex, (c) the East of England and (iv) Great Britain about the roll-out of smart meters.

John Hayes: The Government's vision is for every home and smaller businesses in Great Britain to have smart electricity and gas meters. DECC published the smart meter Consumer Engagement Strategy in December 2012 which provides details of how domestic and non-domestic consumers will be engaged.
	A number of parties will play a role in consumer engagement across Great Britain. Suppliers will have the primary role as they are the main interface with consumers before, during and after installation. Supplier engagement will be supported by a programme of centralised engagement undertaken by a Central Delivery Body (CDB). Trusted third-parties, such as community groups, charities and local authorities will have an important role to play in engaging consumers and we expect the CDB to help facilitate and coordinate their involvement. The Department is also working with stakeholders to ensure that accurate information on smart meters is available in the run up to mass roll-out, for instance on the Government website.

Energy: Meters

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what discussions he has had with Digital UK about lessons learnt from the Digital Switchover in engaging consumers for the forthcoming roll-out of smart meters.

John Hayes: The Government's vision is for every home and smaller businesses in Great Britain to have smart electricity and gas meters. DECC published the smart meter Consumer Engagement Strategy in December 2012 which provides details of how domestic and non-domestic consumers will be engaged.
	The Government has sought to learn lessons from other relevant programmes including Digital UK, whose representatives have briefed DECC and stakeholders to inform the development of the strategy.

Fuel Poverty

Chris Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent assessment he has made of levels of fuel poverty.

Gregory Barker: The latest available statistics suggest that in 2010, 4.75 million households in the UK were in fuel poverty, with 3.5 million households in England being fuel poor. Figures for 2011 will be published on 16 May 2013.

Indigo Public Affairs

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what meetings (a) he, (b) Ministers, (c) officials and (d) special political advisers of his Department have had with Indigo Public Affairs Ltd; and if he will publish full details of any such meetings.

Gregory Barker: Details of meetings between Ministers and external organisations are published quarterly on the departmental website at:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-of-energy-climate-change/series/ministers-meeting-with-external-organisations

Natural Gas

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent research has been (a) conducted and (b) commissioned by his Department on the recovery of natural gas from seabed frozen methane hydrates.

John Hayes: The Department has not conducted or commissioned any work on the recovery of natural gas from seabed frozen methane hydrate's. However, the British Geological Survey published an article in 2007 suggesting the potential for methane hydrates in a zone to the West and North of the Shetlands.

Ofgem

Pamela Nash: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change 
	(1)  when Ofgem will pay out its next round of bonuses to staff;
	(2)  how much in bonuses was paid to Ofgem to staff in band E in each of the last five years.

John Hayes: The information requested is a matter for Ofgem. I have asked the chief executive of Ofgem to write to the hon. Member, and we will place a copy of his letter in the Libraries of the House.

Radioactive Waste

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what progress his Department is making in finding a long-term solution to the storage of nuclear waste.

John Hayes: The Government remains committed to geological disposal as the right policy for the long-term management of higher-activity radioactive waste.
	Following Cumbria county council's decision not to continue in the Managing Radioactive Waste Safely programme, the site selection process in west Cumbria has ended. The invitation for communities to express an interest in joining the programme remains open, however, and, as set out in the written statement of 31 January 2013, Official Report, columns 54-56WS, by the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, the right hon. Member for Kingston and Surbiton (Mr Davey), we remain confident that the programme is sound and will be put into effect. The positive decisions by Copeland and Allerdale borough councils showed that local authorities can see the benefits of participation in the programme.
	We are now considering whether any changes should be made to our current approach to the site selection process. No changes will be introduced without further consultation.
	Until such time as a geological disposal facility is implemented, safe and secure interim storage facilities will remain available, for as long as necessary.

Wind Power

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will consider producing directions to companies placing wind turbines off the coast of the UK to incorporate base designs that encourage biodiverse reef development around those turbines.

Gregory Barker: The Government supports offshore wind because of its potential to play a key part in the UK's energy mix and as a source of investment and economic benefit to the UK.
	We are aware of scientific research that indicates that large permanent offshore structures, such as offshore wind turbines, can create feeding grounds for fish and encourage biodiversity. The responsibility for the marine environment, with the exception of oil and gas related issues, rests with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Marine Management Organisation in English and Welsh waters and in Scottish waters, with the Scottish Government and Marine Scotland.

EDUCATION

Bullying

Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education pursuant to the answer of 27 February 2013, Official Report, column 467W, on bullying, whether it is his Department's policy not to inform Ministers where an allegation relating to bullying is made against a special adviser.

Elizabeth Truss: It is the Department's policy to take seriously allegations of bullying against any member of its staff. Where a complaint is made and upheld it would automatically be brought to the attention of the Line Manager or in the case of a Special Advisor the Minister responsible for their appointment.

Children: Day Care

David Ward: To ask the Secretary of State for Education with reference to the publication, More Great Childcare, in January 2013, how many apprenticeships he anticipates being created in early years childcare in (a) England and Wales and (b) Bradford East constituency in the next five years.

Elizabeth Truss: holding answer 6 March 2013
	Currently no estimation has been made of the numbers of apprenticeships which will be created in early years and child care following the publication of "More great childcare".
	Apprenticeships will continue to be a high quality training and accreditation programme for early years workers. As set out in "More great childcare" there will be a number of apprenticeships bursaries available from September 2013. The Teaching Agency will be responsible for the scheme and will publish more detailed information shortly.

Children: Day Care

David Ward: To ask the Secretary of State for Education with reference to More Great Childcare published in January 2013, what plans he has to encourage more highly qualified staff and graduates to work in early years childcare.

Elizabeth Truss: holding answer 6 March 2013
	The Government wants to move decisively away from the idea that teaching young children is less important or inferior to teaching school age children. The introduction of Early Years Teachers (Graduate) and Early Years Educators (Level 3—A level equivalent) will ensure that those who work with babies and young children become increasingly skilled and professional.
	The Government's vision is to increase the status of the profession so that more high quality graduates consider a career in early years teaching. Early Years Teachers will build on the strengths of the Early Years Professional Status (EYPS) programme. Early Years Teacher trainees will have to meet the same entry requirements as primary classroom trainee teachers. The change will give one title of 'teacher 'across the early years and schools workforce which can be easily recognised by parents and other agencies. The first Early Years Teacher trainees will start training in September 2013. We will also examine how we can attract top graduates into the early years.
	We will ensure new and better qualifications at Level 3, from September 2014, to qualify trainees to become 'Early Years Educators'. To encourage better qualified candidates to take up early years apprenticeships we are putting in place a transitional measure from September 2013. This is a scheme which will offer a limited number of bursaries to those who have at least C grades in GCSE English and mathematics before starting their apprenticeship.

English Baccalaureate

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will make it his policy to include Classical Civilisation in the Humanities section of the English Baccalaureate; and if he will make a statement.

Elizabeth Truss: The Government do not have any plans to include Classical Civilisation in the Humanities section of the English Baccalaureate (EBacc). The EBacc subjects—English, mathematics, history or geography, the sciences and languages—make up an academic core that will enable pupils to keep open their options for further study and rewarding employment.
	The Government recognises that qualifications in subjects outside of the EBacc, such as Classical Civilisation, can also be valuable to individual pupils. The EBacc itself is not compulsory, and we look to schools and parents to guide pupils to make the choices most suited to them.

First Aid: Education

Julie Hilling: To ask the Secretary of State for Education 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the role of life-saving skills within the current curriculum;
	(2)  what representations his Department has received on the coverage of life-saving skills, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation, in the national curriculum.

Elizabeth Truss: holding answer 12 March 2013
	The Department has considered the role of life-saving skills as part of its review of personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education. Teachers are free to use their professional judgment to decide whether to teach life-saving skills and should tailor such provision according to the needs of their pupils.
	The Department received many representations from organisations and individuals during the review consultation period and through correspondence including from St John Ambulance and the British Red Cross, among others.

GCE AS-level

Pat Glass: To ask the Secretary of State for Education 
	(1)  which universities currently use AS levels as a means of assessing applicant potential for the purposes of admission decisions;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the effect of the proposed establishment of AS levels as a stand-alone qualification on the ability of universities to consider applicant potential.

Elizabeth Truss: holding answer 11 March 2013
	We know that universities use a range of information and evidence about applicants for admissions purposes. Even within individual universities, there may be a variety of approaches between subjects. Changes to the AS and A-levels mean that some universities may need to make changes to admissions processes. Improving the rigour of these qualifications will ensure that students are better prepared for undergraduate courses.

ICT: Teachers

Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment his Department has made of the number of teachers who will be qualified to teach the new ICT curriculum when it is introduced.

David Laws: holding answer 11 March 2013
	According to the latest data available there are 18,600 teachers currently teaching ICT. These teachers will be supported through the Network of Teaching Excellence in Computer Science established by BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT, to enhance their subject knowledge to include the new areas of the computing curriculum. Additionally, the new computer science postgraduate initial teacher training (ITT) programmes will deliver around 600 suitably trained teachers into the workforce in 2014.

Ministerial Policy Advisers

Ian Mearns: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what procedures are in place within his Department to deal with breaches of the code of conduct by special advisers.

Elizabeth Truss: Matters relating to special advisers are handled in accordance with the Ministerial Code, the Model Contract and Code of Conduct for Special Advisers.

Ministers' Private Offices

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many members of staff have (a) resigned, (b) been made redundant and (c) been dismissed from his private ministerial office since May 2010.

Elizabeth Truss: holding answer 7 March 2013
	Since May 2010 no members of staff have resigned, been made redundant or been dismissed from the Secretary of State’s Private Office.

Schools: Finance

Pauline Latham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what recent representations he has received on equalising the level of schools funding for local authorities.

David Laws: We have received several representations from local authorities, hon. Members representing relatively lower funded local authorities and the group campaign group f40 about addressing the distribution of school funding.
	The Secretary of State for Education confirmed in March 2012 our intention to introduce a new national funding formula in the next spending review period.
	A new national funding formula would re-assess need across the country and distribute funding accordingly.

Written Questions

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many written parliamentary questions were answered by (a) him and (b) each Minister in his Department in each of the last 12 months.

Elizabeth Truss: holding answer 12 March 2013
	The management information collected by the Department for written parliamentary questions (PQs) is not broken down by individual Minister. The total number of written PQs from January 2012 to January 2013 is set out in the following table.
	
		
			 January 2012 to January 2013 
			  Total number of parliamentary questions answered 
			 January 2012 236 
			 February 2012 250 
			 March 2012 193 
			 April 2012 162 
			 May 2012 200 
			 June 2012 154 
			 July 2012 165 
			 August 2012 15 
			 September 2012 124 
			 October 2012 177 
			 November 2012 210 
			 December 2012 107 
			 January 2013 215 
			 Total 2,208

TREASURY

Income Tax

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he plans to take to ensure that wage-earners below the income tax threshold will benefit from any future increases in the personal allowance; and if he will make a statement.

David Gauke: Since 2010, the Government has announced successive increases in the personal allowance totalling £2,965. Taken together, these changes will ensure that over 2.2 million low income individuals will be removed from income tax altogether.
	The Government is also taking other measures that will benefit those who are below the income tax threshold including the introduction of universal credit, and freezes to council tax and fuel duty.

Alcoholic Drinks: Consumption

Priti Patel: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the level of alcohol consumption was measured by alcohol duty clearances per adult in (a) 2004-05 and (b) 2010-11. [R]

Sajid Javid: The following table presents the level of alcohol consumption measured by alcohol duty clearances per adult in (a) 2004-05 and (b) 2010-11.
	
		
			 Financial year Total alcohol (litre of pure alcohol per adult) 
			 2004-05 11.80 
			 2010-11 10.59

Alcoholic Drinks: Prices

Alun Cairns: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the excise duty revenue to be foregone by the Exchequer over the course of the next Parliament as a result of the introduction of a minimum unit price for alcohol.

Sajid Javid: The Government has recently completed a consultation on the introduction of a minimum unit price for alcohol of 45p. The consultation stage impact assessment sets out the impacts of a 45p minimum unit price—this is available on the Home Office website.
	The estimate of the impact on Exchequer revenue will be developed further based on the consultation feedback.

Capital Investment

Rachel Reeves: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will provide all the figures, assumptions and calculations used to arrive at HM Treasury's estimates of public and private infrastructure investment cited in Chart 1A and 1B, and paragraphs 1.3 to 1.5, of the National Infrastructure Plan: update 2012 published in December 2012.

Danny Alexander: Incorporating data from the Infrastructure Pipeline available at:
	www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/infrastructure_pipeline_data.htm
	HM Treasury used the following figures to calculate estimates of public and private infrastructure investment cited in Chart 1A and 1B, and paragraphs 1.3 to 1.5, of the National Infrastructure Plan: update 2012 published in December 2012. Figures are in £ billions and are HM Treasury estimates using data from company accounts, regulators, Office for National Statistics and Government Departments:
	
		
			 £ billion 
			  Financial year 
			 Sector 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 
			 Transport 9,804 11.038 11.862 13.168 14.206 13.872 15.181 
			 Communications 6.339 6.124 5.808 5.370 5.028 5.123 4.508 
			 Water 4.722 5.386 6.593 6.381 5.521 5.250 4.918 
			 Energy 2.416 3.489 5.523 6.756 8.948 8.374 8.638 
			 Waste 0 0.849 0.529 0.186 0.348 0.583 0.594 
		
	
	The infrastructure investment pipeline estimates are indicative and reflect the information held within Government on infrastructure investment combined with other public sources of information. Data about purely private investment is subject to greater uncertainty than that for public sector or regulated investment.

Child Care Tax Credit

Tim Loughton: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures are used by his Department to uncover abuse of child care tax credits when parents cease to use their child care hours or provider stated on their application.

Sajid Javid: As part of its tax credits strategy, HM Revenue and Customs carries out a number of risk-based checks on all aspects of error and fraud relating to the payment of the child care element of tax credits including cases where parents cease to make use of child care.
	The latest Child and Working Tax Credits Error and Fraud Statistics for 2010-11, available on the HMRC website at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/statistics/fin-error-stats.htm
	show that losses relating to child care error and fraud have reduced from £390 million in 2008-09 to £265 million in 2010-11.

Crossrail Line

David Lammy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from the Mayor of London on the funding of Crossrail 2.

Danny Alexander: Government Ministers have routine discussions with local government and the Mayor of London as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such discussions and representations.

Drax Power Station

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what conversations he has had with his ministerial counterparts on the debt guarantee for the Drax coal to biomass conversion project;
	(2)  what estimates he has made of the potential fiscal multiplier from the £75 million debt guarantee for the Drax coal to biomass conversion project;
	(3)  what the evidential basis was for his recent decision that a £75 million debt guarantee for the Drax coal to biomass conversion project represented the best total net present value for Government guarantee under the Treasury guarantee scheme.

Danny Alexander: A guarantee is a contingent liability. The provision of a guarantee is only offered to projects which have passed a robust assessment process including technical, legal and financial due diligence carried out by commercial specialists within HM Treasury.
	Treasury Ministers and officials engage with a wide variety of organisations in the private and public sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with previous administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of such meetings and discussions.

Economic Situation: Wales

Owen Smith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effect on the Welsh economy of policies announced in the 2012 Budget.

Danny Alexander: Wales benefited from a number of key decisions announced at Budget 2012 including:
	An increase in the personal allowance by a further £1,100 in April 2013, the largest ever increase in the personal allowance in cash and real terms, which lifted an additional 42,000 people out of tax and benefited 1.1 million individuals in Wales.
	The raising of the threshold for the withdrawal of child benefit to £50,000 which benefited 21,000 households in Wales.
	Enhanced capital allowances at a designated site in the Deeside Enterprise Zone in North Wales which the Welsh Government estimate to have the potential to deliver more than 4,000 new jobs.
	The funding granted to Cardiff to deliver ultra-fast broadband to up to 142,000 residents and 10,000 businesses, and high-speed wireless connectivity to up to 196,000 residents in key areas.
	The investment in mobile infrastructure which will improve coverage in mobile black-spots and improve coverage on key A-roads, including the A470(T) between Llandudno and Cardiff.
	Work to consider the electrification of the Cardiff valley rail lines.

Financial Services

Chris Ruane: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the percentage contribution the financial services sector made to the economy in each year for which figures are available.

Sajid Javid: The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is responsible for producing estimates of total UK Gross Value Added (GVA) and a breakdown by industry. The following table shows the contribution that the ‘financial and insurance services’ industry has made to total GVA for the years 1997 to 2010 inclusive. Figures for earlier years are not currently available. Estimates for 2011 will be published for the first time by the ONS with the 2013 edition of the United Kingdom National Accounts: The Blue Book on 31 July 2013.
	
		
			  Financial and insurance services GVA as a percentage of total GVA (Percentage) 
			 1997 7.0 
			 1998 6.3 
			 1999 5.9 
			 2000 5.4 
			 2001 5.8 
			 2002 6.0 
			 2003 6.5 
			 2004 6.8 
			 2005 7.8 
			 2006 7.6 
			 2007 8.0 
			 2008 9.1 
			 2009 10.4 
			 2010 9.4

Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011

Chris Skidmore: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate what the (a) total and (b) average annual savings of the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011 has been.

Chloe Smith: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Cabinet Office.
	The Fixed-term Parliaments Act abolishes the prerogative power to dissolve Parliament and establishes five-year fixed-terms for the UK Parliament. The Act therefore makes elections more predictable and, together with the Electoral Registration and Administration Act which also aligns the electoral timetable, is expected to ease the administrative burden in terms of electoral planning.
	Estimate administrative savings from the Fixed-term Parliaments Act and the Electoral Registration and Administration Act (ERAA), are detailed in the impact assessment to the ERAA:
	http://www.parliament.uk/documents/impact-assessments/IA12-010D.pdf
	The Fixed-term Parliaments Act also provides additional certainty for departmental planning. The full impact of the Fixed-term Parliaments Act will be more apparent at the end of the current parliamentary term.

Income Tax

Chris Ruane: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of after-tax incomes were saved by each decile of the workforce in each year for which figures are available.

Sajid Javid: The Family Resources Survey, sponsored by the Department of Work and Pensions, provides facts and figures about the living conditions and resources of people living in the UK. Table 4.12 shows the proportion of households who hold different levels of savings, by total weekly household income.

Pay

Priti Patel: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much was paid to officials in (a) his Department and (b) its non-departmental public bodies in bonuses and other payments in addition to salary in each of the last five years; how many officials received such payments; and what the monetary value was of the 20 largest payments made in each year.

Sajid Javid: Bonuses are paid in two circumstances: performance bonuses are those linked to the annual staff appraisal system and are paid in the year following the year in which the assessment is made and special bonuses are those paid to recognise specific contributions to pieces of work during the year.
	Since 2010-11 the Government have restricted performance related payments for senior civil servants to the top 25% of performers (from 65% in previous years), saving the taxpayer around £15 million. They are only paid to reward excellence, for example to recognise and incentivise those responsible for delivering high quality public services and savings to the taxpayer. Pay decisions for non-senior staff are delegated to individual departments, enabling them the tailor reward packages that meet their own workforce and business needs.
	The information requested for the last two completed financial years can be found in the following table:
	
		
			 Bonus type 2010-11 2011-12 
			 Performance (£000) 905 824 
			 Number of performance Awards(1) 322 297 
			 Special (£000) 127 166 
			 Number of Special awards(1) 308 388 
			 20 largest awards (£000) 15.00 12.25 
			  12.50 12.25 
			  12.50 12.25 
			  12.50 12.25 
			  12.50 9.75 
		
	
	
		
			  10.50 9.75 
			  10.00 9.75 
			  10.00 9.75 
			  10.00 9.75 
			  10.00 9.75 
			  10.00 9.75 
			  10.00 9.75 
			  10.00 9.75 
			  10.00 9.75 
			  10.00 9.75 
			  10.00 9.75 
			  10.00 9.75 
			  10.00 9.75 
			  10.00 9.75 
			  8.33 9.75 
			 (1) Some staff may have received both types of bonus payment in a single financial year. 
		
	
	Details relating to the previous three years requested were given to the hon. Member by the Exchequer Secretary in a previous answer dated 15 December 2010, Official Report columns 785-86W.

Recruitment

Priti Patel: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many officials were recruited to (a) his Department and (b) each of its non-departmental public bodies in each of the last five years.

Sajid Javid: Numbers recruited by HM Treasury and the Debt Management Office over the last five years are as follows:
	
		
			  HM Treasury Debt Management Office 
			 2008-09 391 15 
			 2009-10 443 21 
			 2010-11 258 20 
			 2011-12 297 24 
			 March to December 2012 208 17 
		
	
	Since 2008-09 total numbers for core Treasury have fallen from a peak in 2009 of 1,351 to 1,135 at 31 December 2012 following the Government's introduction of the civil service recruitment freeze. New recruits since 2010 have been to business critical roles where the relevant expertise was not already available internally or within the civil service. The recruitment freeze is still in place and all vacancies are subject to ministerial approval.

Tax Allowances: Pensions

Mark Hendrick: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how many people obtained higher tax relief on their pension contributions in the tax year 2011-12; and what the cost was of that tax relief to the public purse;
	(2)  how many people obtained tax relief at 20 per cent on their pension contributions in the tax year 2011-12; and what the cost was of that tax relief to the public purse.

Sajid Javid: Estimates of the number of people receiving income tax deductions for their pension contributions and the value of deductions by different income distributions can be found in Table 3.8 on the HMRC website at the following link.
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/statistics/income-by-year/table3-8.pdf
	Estimates of the total tax cost of pension relief can be found in Table PEN6 on the HMRC website at the following link.
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/statistics/pension-stats/pen6.pdf

Telephone Services

Richard Burden: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many (a) 0800, (b) 0808, (c) 0844, (d) 0845 and (e) 0870 telephone numbers for the public are in use by (i) his Department and (ii) the agencies for which he is responsible.

Sajid Javid: HM Treasury does not have any 0800, 0808, 0844, 0845 or 0870 telephone numbers in use for the public. The Debt Management Office (DMO), an executive agency of HM Treasury, has 10 ‘0845’ contact numbers on its website.

Termination of Employment

Priti Patel: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many officials in (a) his Department and (b) each of its non-departmental public bodies have left that body due to (i) resignation, (ii) retirement, (iii) redundancy, (iv) transferral to another public sector post and (v) another reason in each of the last five years.

Sajid Javid: The information requested is available as follows (numbers have been combined where there is a risk of identifying individual staff where numbers are fewer than five).
	
		
			 HM Treasury and Debt Management Office 
			  1 April 2008 to 31 March 2009 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2010 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2011 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2012 1 April 2012 to 31 December 2012 
			 Resignation 73 52 108 113 74 
			 Permanent Transfer 73 46 37 53 48 
			 VER/VES 5 <5 15 24 15 
			 Retirement 11 9 10 <5 <5 
			 Other 95 165 150 94 40 
			  257 276 320 288 178

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Bangladesh

Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the current security situation in Bangladesh and the likelihood of an end to the recent violence in the country.

William Hague: The British Government is concerned by reports of the recent violence in Bangladesh, which erupted following the International Crimes Tribunal's latest verdict in the case of Delwar Hossain Sayedee. We understand that there have been multiple deaths and thousands of people injured. My right hon. Friend, the noble Baroness Warsi, issued a statement on 13 March expressing the UK's concerns over violence in Bangladesh and urged all sides to exercise restraint.
	Opposition parties, Jamaat-e-Islami and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party have called for enforced strikes throughout the last couple of weeks. As Baroness Warsi stated during her visit to Bangladesh last month, violence and vandalism have no place in legitimate protests. Our high commissioner in Dhaka, Robert Gibson, released a statement on 3 March expressing sadness over the violence and the deaths that have taken place across Bangladesh recently.
	In a meeting with the Bangladesh Foreign Minister, Dipu Moni, he called for the Bangladesh Government to ensure a transparent investigation into the violence is conducted.
	We have urged all parties to exercise restraint and will continue to monitor the situation.

British Indian Ocean Territory

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 5 March 2013, Official Report, column 904W, on Chagos Islands, whether his commitment of 20 December 2012 to take stock of the UK's policy towards the resettlement of 3,107 British Indian Ocean Territory residents has in any way changed in the intervening period.

Mark Simmonds: There has been no change in our commitment to review our policy on the British Indian Ocean Territory.

British Overseas Territories

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consular assistance his Department affords citizens of British Overseas Territories at UK embassies and high commissions.

Mark Simmonds: We provide the same help to British Overseas Territories citizens living or travelling outside the Overseas Territories as we do to any other British national. The help we can provide is described in our publication “Support for British Nationals Abroad”: A Guide, which is available online at:
	www.fco.gov.uk/resources/en/pdf/2855621/support-for-british-nationals-abroad.pdf

Burma

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will hold discussions with the government of Burma on ensuring that that country's new media laws allow freedom of speech and expression.

Hugo Swire: We regularly raise freedom of speech and expression with the Burmese Government. Freedom of expression was raised prominently when Burmese Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin met the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), and myself in London last month. The Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General, my right hon. Friend the Member for Horsham (Mr Maude), also held extensive discussions on media freedom with a number of Burmese Ministers, including the Minister responsible for the new legislation (Minister for Information Aung Kyi), in the context of a visit to promote the Open Government Partnership in February 2013.
	We have welcomed the steps taken by the Burmese Government to end pre-publication censorship of print media, and the establishment of a Press Council in September 2012. The British Government is investing in capacity-building of the media, focusing on supporting civil society and independent media outlets. We will monitor the passage of the key media legislation through parliament in 2013 to ensure progress is sustained.

Central Asia

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to help encourage free and democratic elections across Central Asia.

David Lidington: The UK regularly raises the need for free and fair elections in Central Asia both in its bilateral contacts and through multilateral institutions. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has funded a number of projects designed to improve the transparency of election systems at national and local level.
	Since 2010, the UK has sent election observers as part of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) election observation missions for presidential and parliamentary elections in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, Most recently, we provided funding for two Long Term Observers and 13 Short Term Observers for the parliamentary elections in Kazakhstan, as well as funding for an elections and democracy project designed to develop and implement electoral reform proposals which stemmed from the observation.
	We fully support the work of the OSCE, and encourage the Governments of Central Asia to address the shortcomings identified by the OSCE and Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in the course of the electoral process.

Cyprus

Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans the Government has to hold discussions with the President of the Republic of Cyprus on the continuing division of the island.

David Lidington: We remain concerned at the continuing division of Cyprus. We hope to welcome President Anastasiades to London at an early opportunity for discussions on this and other issues.

European Parliament: Elections

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the decision of the European Parliament to propose new dates in May 2014 for elections to that Parliament.

David Lidington: The European Parliament elections are currently scheduled to be held on 5-8 June, but in order to accommodate the Pentecost holiday in 2014, the Council has proposed moving the date to 22-25 May. The European Parliament will now be consulted before the Council formally adopts a decision to change the date. In an indicative vote in November 2012, the European Parliament was supportive of such a change.
	Under the 1976 Act concerning the election of the members of the European Parliament by direct suffrage, it is for the Council, acting unanimously after consulting with the European Parliament, to determine the period for European Parliament elections, and to decide on an alternate period in situations where the original dates are not workable.

Falkland Islands

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions the Government has had with the US administration about the referendum result in the Falkland Islands.

Hugo Swire: The Government discusses this issue with the US Administration regularly. We welcome American recognition of the referendum as a clear and democratic expression of the Falkland Islanders' wishes. We hope the US Government, and others, will respect the views of the Islanders and their right to determine their own political future.

Hezbollah

Gordon Henderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of recent reports that Bulgaria has identified Hezbollah as involved in the Burgas terror attack.

Alistair Burt: We welcomed the Bulgarian statement on the outcome of their investigation into the Bourgas bomb attack attributing responsibility to Hizballah military wing. This is an assessment that the UK. shares. As the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), said in response to this statement:
	“it is important that the EU responds robustly to an attack on European soil. Based on our national proscription, we believe that similar action by the EU against the military wing of Hezbollah would be an appropriate response and we continue to engage with our EU partners on this issue.”

Hezbollah

Gordon Henderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of weapons transfers to Hezbollah from Syria.

Alistair Burt: We are concerned by continued reports of transfers of conventional weapons from Syria and Iran to Hizballah in Lebanon, including Hizballah's own claims that it possesses significant military capabilities. Any such transfers would be in violation of Security Council resolution 1701 and would pose a threat to Lebanese and regional stability.

Hezbollah

Gordon Henderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on adding Hezbollah to the EU's list of recognised terrorist organisations.

Alistair Burt: Based on our national proscription, the British Government has continuously maintained that the EU must act collectively in response to Hizballah's terrorist activity. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), continues to have regular contact with his EU counterparts on this issue, as does the Secretary of State for the Home Department, my right hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May).

Kyrgyzstan

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of political and ethnic tensions in Kyrgyzstan.

David Lidington: We welcome the progress Kyrgyzstan has made since the political upheavals of 2005 and April 2010, and the serious ethnic clashes of June 2010. This includes the Government's efforts to promote political stability through a system of parliamentary democracy introduced in 2010, and its programme of reform in key areas such as the judicial system. While the political situation has stabilised significantly, it is still fragile. We encourage the Government to address on-going ethnic tensions, especially in the south of the country, by implementing the core recommendations set out in the 2011 Kiljunen report. This was the main international inquiry into the violent clashes in June 2010.
	Recent clashes in Sokh, Batken in January 2013, were a reminder of the ethnic tensions that exist in a number of border regions. We welcomed the fact the Kyrgyz and Uzbek Governments entered promptly into dialogue on how best to resolve the situation.
	There have been political protests taking place in Bishkek over recent days in relation to the court case of Kyrgyz opposition leader, Kamchybek Tashiev. We welcome the fact that the Kyrgyz Government has endorsed the protesters' right to freedom of expression and sought to maintain calm. We encourage them to continue this approach.

Leave

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many officials in (a) his Department and (b) each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies qualify for privilege days; and what the total cost to the public purse was of the number of privilege days utilised each year by such officials.

Mark Simmonds: At present, as was the situation under previous Administrations, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) staff qualify for 2.5 days privilege leave per year in addition to their annual leave entitlement. One of these days is granted under the authority of the Queen.
	In the Civil Service Reform Plan, the Government announced its intention to modernise civil service terms and conditions, and to address those which are outliers relative to best practice in the private and wider public sector.
	Privilege leave represents a total cost to the public purse of 0.96% of the Department's overall paybill.
	The FCO does not hold this information for non-departmental public bodies. The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for North East Bedfordshire (Alistair Burt), will write to my hon. Friend when the data are available and a copy will be placed in the Library of the House.

Mobile Phones

Dai Havard: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which company holds the largest contract to provide mobile telephony services to the British Council; how much is paid each year under that contract; how many individual devices are covered by the contract; when the contract was awarded; and when and how the contract will next be reviewed.

Hugo Swire: Vodafone Ltd holds the largest contract to provide mobile telephony services to the British Council. Under the contract, approximately £115,000 is paid each year for this service. The contract covers approximately 520 devices, and was awarded on 12 October 2011.
	For supplier performance, the British Council will review performance against contractual deliverables, price, user perception and specific services provided by the supplier, at regular points throughout the contract lifecycle. The next opportunity for the British Council to review its choice of supplier is October. For supplier selection of mobile services, the British Council will make use of the appropriate framework made available to the UK public sector by Government Procurement Services (previously MSII and currently Lot 6 of the PSN framework)—2015:
	http://gps.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/contracts/rm1498

Morocco

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 6 March 2013, Official Report, column 1019W, on Morocco, whether the definition of normal circumstances includes civilians being tried in military courts.

Alistair Burt: We refer to the conduct of the trial itself. We note that the Conseil National des Droits de l’Homme has since recommended that in future civilians in Morocco should not be tried by military tribunals.

Occupied Territories

Fiona O'Donnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what diplomatic steps he has taken in response to the announcement by the Israeli government in 2012 relating to the E1 settlement project to the east of Jerusalem.

Alistair Burt: We condemned the Israeli Government's decision on 30 November 2012 to unfreeze planning in the area known as E1. Settlements are illegal under international law, and this plan in particular has the potential to alter the situation on the ground on a scale that threatens the viability of a two state solution. I formally summoned the Israeli ambassador to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 3 December, to make clear the depth of our concerns. We will continue to make our concerns about settlements, including planning for the E1 area, clear to the new Israeli Government.

Pitcairn Islands

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the proposed Marine Protected Area around the Pitcairn Islands; and if he will make a statement.

Mark Simmonds: The Government takes its responsibilities for the protection of the marine environment extremely seriously. We will continue to work with the Pitcairn Island Council and interested partner organisations to explore and develop the various options for establishing a Marine Protected Area around Pitcairn.

Recruitment

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many officials were recruited to (a) his Department and (b) each of its non-departmental public bodies in each of the last five years.

Mark Simmonds: The following table shows the number of staff recruited by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) for each of the last five financial years:
	
		
			  Number 
			 2008-09 400 
			 2009-10 331 
			 2010-11 207 
			 2011-12 194 
			 2012 to January 2013 87 
		
	
	The figures cover permanent and fixed term recruitment in the UK only. Data for recruitment by our Posts overseas for local staff positions are not held centrally.
	A civil service-wide recruitment freeze has been in place since May 2010. Some recruitment immediately after the freeze resulted from campaigns run before the freeze was announced. Any new recruitment since May 2010 (with the exception of Fast Stream recruitment which is included in the figures) has been for business critical positions. These are normally specialist positions which require skills or expertise not available within our existing work force. Appointees into these positions are normally on fixed term contracts.
	The FCO, as part of the Government-wide Transparency Agenda, will publish details of recruitment for the last five years together with regular updates throughout the year. These data will be available at:
	www.data.gov.uk
	from May while details of exceptions we have used are currently published at:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/exceptions-data
	The FCO does not hold recruitment data for non-departmental public bodies. The the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for North East Bedfordshire (Alistair Burt), will write to my hon. Friend when the data are available and a copy will be placed in the Library of the House.

Syria

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many nationals of British Overseas Territories have requested consular assistance from the UK Embassy in Syria in the last 12 months.

Mark Simmonds: We do not have statistics to show the number of requests for consular assistance from nationals of British Overseas Territories in Syria since the British Embassy in Damascus suspended services in March last year. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London has received 29 requests for advice and assistance relating to Syria in the last 12 months, along with a number of informal enquiries by phone or email.

Termination of Employment

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many officials in (a) his Department and (b) each of its non-departmental public bodies have left that body due to (i) resignation, (ii) retirement, (iii) redundancy, (iv) transferral to another public sector post and (v) another reason in each of the last five years.

Mark Simmonds: During the past five financial years a total of 1,068 people left the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) for the following reasons:
	
		
			  2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13(1) 
			 (i) Resignations(2) 75 58 67 83 49 
			 (ii) Retirements(2) 127 207 175 114 23 
			 (iii) Redundancy(3) 0 0 0 1 1 
			 (iv) Transfer to another civil service post 7 4 3 8 13 
			 (v) Other 18 13 7 13 4 
			 Total 227 282 252 218 89 
			 (1) Data for 2012-13 are up to February 2013. (2 )This includes people who have left as a result of voluntary exit schemes. (3) We have interpreted this to mean compulsory redundancy. 
		
	
	We have not included:
	Officials who were recruited on a fixed term contract or casual basis.
	Officials on loan who have returned to their parent Department.
	Staff recruited locally by our Missions overseas.
	The FCO does not hold data for non-departmental public bodies. The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for North East Bedfordshire (Alistair Burt), will write to my hon. Friend when the data are available and a copy will be placed in the Library of the House.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Agricultural Wages Board

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 7 February 2013, Official Report, column 371W, on Agricultural Wages Board, for what reason it would not be practicable to make all responses to the consultation available on his Department's website; and if he will review his decision not to publish the responses.

David Heath: We consider that it would not be practical to publish all the responses to the consultation on the future of the Agricultural Wages Board on the DEFRA website as the time and public resource involved in doing this, would be disproportionate to the customer interest.
	However, in line with departmental practice for consultation exercises, DEFRA has made available a summary of responses on the DEFRA website. Further, as I said in my previous answer, all the consultation responses, other than those where respondees requested confidentiality, are available in the main DEFRA Library.

Agriculture: East of England

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the estimated cost was to (a) his Department and (b) farmers of delays in administering the single payment to farmers in (i) Suffolk, (ii) Norfolk and (iii) Cambridgeshire in each of the last three years.

David Heath: The Rural Payment Agency (RPA) has exceeded its ministerial and European Commission targets for the past three years. As a result, there have been no late penalties imposed on the Single Payment Scheme.
	We are unable to provide analysis on the impact of single farm payments on individual farmers within the specified areas.

Beef: Marketing

Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent steps his Department has taken to promote British beef; and what additional resources his Department intends to commit to promote British beef over the next 12 months.

David Heath: holding answer 11 March 2013
	The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), a non-departmental public body, funded in the main by statutory levies, ran a national advertising campaign in collaboration with other industry partners highlighting the traceability and provenance of fresh beef, lamb and pork bearing the Red Tractor and Quality Standard Mark labels. Over the next 12 months, AHDB intends to extend this promotion effort.
	DEFRA continues to work with industry to promote exports and remove barriers, for example, we recently opened the beef and lamb market in Russia. In the UK Export Certificate Partnership (UKECP), we and industry determine target markets and agree who will take forward the tasks. However, progress is often dependent on third country demands.

Chinese Mitten Crabs

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what recent assessment he has made of the effect of the Chinese mitten crab on native wildlife;
	(2)  what steps his Department is taking to reduce the prevalence of Chinese mitten crabs in the UK.

Richard Benyon: The invasive non-native species risk assessment for Chinese mitten crab indicates that the main impact of this species is collapse of river banks due to its burrowing behaviour.
	There are no control methods which are known to be effective in reducing Chinese mitten crab populations and it is thought unlikely that this species will ever be eradicated from Great Britain. Therefore, the Government's focus is to minimise the risk of spread through good biosecurity. DEFRA is working with a broad range of organisations to promote the ‘Check, Clean, Dry’ campaign to promote behaviours which reduce the risk of spread of aquatic invasive non-native species such as the Chinese mitten crab.

Farmers: East of England

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he has made of the number of farmers who have left the agricultural sector in (a) Suffolk, (b) Norfolk and (c) Cambridgeshire in each of the last three years.

David Heath: DEFRA does not collect data on the number of farmers leaving agriculture. The June Survey of Agriculture and Horticulture collects data on the numbers of people working on agricultural holdings. The following table presents relevant labour estimates at 1 June for the latest three years available.
	These results are based on a sample survey of farmers so are subject to a degree of statistical error. Year-on-year changes for individual counties should therefore be treated with caution and longer term trends will give a more robust picture of activity.
	
		
			 Agricultural labour force on commercial holdings(1) 
			 County/unitary authority Farmers, partners, directors and spouses full-time Farmers, partners directors and spouses part-time Total labour 
			  2009 2010 2011 2009 2010 2011 2009 2010 2011 
			 Cambridgeshire CC 1,490 1,523 1,564 1,420 1,477 1,527 7,174 6,285 6,577 
			 Norfolk 2,438 2,423 2,480 2,560 2,652 2,723 11,949 12,269 12,744 
			 Suffolk 1,885 1,822 1,900 2,071 2,207 2,259 8,132 8,207 8,541 
			 (1) Commercial holdings are those with significant levels of farming activity. These significant levels are classified as any holding with more than five hectares of agricultural land, one hectare of orchards, 0.5 hectares of vegetables or 0.1 hectares of protected crops, or more than 10 cows, 50 pigs, 20 sheep, 20 goats or 1,000 poultry.

Fisheries: Quotas

Tom Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions he has had with the Chief Executive Officer of the Marine Management Organisation on the Government's plans to issue lists of the private owners of fixed quota allocations made to the UK.

Richard Benyon: The Marine Management Organisation has been involved in the project to produce a register of holdings of fixed quota allocation units from its inception. It, like us, fully supports the commitment to produce a fully transparent system to make clear the beneficiaries of UK fishing quota.

Food Banks

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress has been made on his Department's inquiry into the growth of food banks.

David Heath: DEFRA has commissioned research to review evidence on the landscape of food provision and access. This is not an inquiry. The work comprises a short research project assessing evidence already publically available on the provision of food aid in the UK. This has been informed by a workshop with interested parties and organisations and includes a small number of case studies on current approaches. The project is halfway to completion and the research findings will be published on DEFRA's website.

Food: Procurement

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what guidelines his Department has issued with respect to public sector food procurement.

David Heath: DEFRA develops Government Buying Standards which set clear sustainability standards for the public procurement of goods and services in England. A standard has been developed for food and catering, which supports procurement of nutritious and sustainably sourced food as well as sustainable catering services. Detailed guidance has been produced and this, along with the standard, is available on the DEFRA website.
	I have also written to all Departments, in the context of EU regulations on the welfare for sows which recently came into force, reminding them of the overarching commitment in the Government Buying Standard to source food meeting UK or equivalent standards of production.

Horse Meat

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which police force is the lead agency in the investigation into the adulteration of meat products with horsemeat.

David Heath: The Food Standards Agency has been working with a number of police forces and it has been agreed that the economic crime directorate of the City of London police will be the lead force subject to final confirmation of their terms of reference.

Leatherhead Food Research

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what contact (a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department have had with Leatherhead Food Research regarding testing for equine DNA since May 2010.

David Heath: DEFRA has had no contact with Leatherhead Food Research regarding testing for equine DNA since May 2010.

Livestock: Transport

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what information his Department holds on which EU member states are (a) in favour of and (b) opposed to reducing maximum journey times for the live transport of livestock.

David Heath: This issue was last discussed at the Agriculture Council meeting on 18 June 2012, which was reported in the ministerial statement of 27 June 2012, Official Report, column 11WS, by the right hon. Member for Meriden (Mrs Spelman). It contained the following views:
	“Council adopted conclusions on the protection and welfare of animals. The Netherlands submitted a declaration expressing concern at the Commission's lack of ambition in the EU Welfare Strategy and the importance of dealing with the shortcomings identified in their review of the animal transport legislation—and abstained. Sweden, supported by Belgium, Austria and Denmark, made a statement to the same effect as that made by the Netherlands. The UK also made a statement on improving welfare during transport, noting particularly the importance of scientific evidence. The Commission noted the widespread support for their Strategy and promised to bring forward various non-legislative proposals to address some of the practical problems on animal transportation.”
	There has been no further substantive discussion on this subject at EU Council level since the discussion reported above.

Livestock: Transport

Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many staff of his Department were employed in overseeing the import and export of live animals in (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012; what his Department's budget for that operation was in each of those years; and where such staff were located.

David Heath: The Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) is responsible for overseeing the import and export of live animals and carries out checks at the point of departure (i.e. the farm where animals start the journey), the port of departure/destination and spot checks during the transport journey.
	To produce the figures requested could be done only at disproportionate cost. In broad terms, the number of AHVLA staff deployed at any one point in time at ports and airports is heavily dependent on both the volume of trade and the known risk the shipments present. This applies to imports and exports alike.

Marine Conservation Zones

Ben Bradshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he will announce a timetable for future tranches of marine conservation zones.

Richard Benyon: Plans for designating future tranches of MCZs will be outlined at the same time as the Government announces its response to the current consultation on the first tranche of MCZ designations.

Marine Conservation Zones

Matthew Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what procedures (a) his Department and (b) the Marine Management Organisation have put in place for (i) protection of, (ii) management of and (iii) licensing applications within the 96 areas recommended for designation as marine conservation zones which are not being proposed for designation in 2013.

Richard Benyon: For those recommended sites not included for designation in 2013 and which require further consideration, the Department considers it wise that regulators such as the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) should not consider these sites as marine conservation zones under the relevant requirements of the legislation. However, the enhanced evidence base associated with any such area will be relevant and material to any licensing decision by the MMO. As such, regulatory authorities may wish to utilise any such evidence that has been gathered by the regional projects and the statutory nature conservation bodies in performing their statutory duties. Regulators will consider whether it is appropriate to protect the features in such sites through current legislative provisions. Ultimately, the final decisions on these issues rest with the relevant regulator.

Meat: Contamination

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions he has had with (a) Sodexo and (b) Brakes on the source of their adulterated meat products.

David Heath: The Food Standards Agency is responsible for investigating incidents of misleading labelling and food fraud. Both Sodexo and Brakes are providing the FSA with information on their supply chain and are co-operating fully with the FSA's investigation.

Meat: Origin Marking

Margaret Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he expects the European Commission's report and recommendations on labelling the origin of all processed meat to be published; and if he will make a statement.

David Heath: Requirements for origin labelling have been incorporated into the Food Information to Consumers Regulation (EU No. 1169/2011). The UK supported extending compulsory origin labelling to all fresh meat and a review on extending origin labelling for other foods. We have requested that the European Commission's report looking into the costs and benefits of mandatory origin labelling is brought forward so that an informed, proportionate decision can be taken. We also supported the requirement for origin information to be given where failure to indicate this might mislead the consumer as to the true country of origin or place of provenance of the food.

Nutrition

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps he is taking to make healthy food more affordable.

David Heath: The Government recognises that rising food prices mean, for many, a greater proportion of household income is being spent on food.
	That is why we are working nationally and internationally to promote open global markets and boost trade, which help keep food prices at levels that all households in the UK find affordable.
	Also, the Department of Health's Public Health Responsibility Deal has been established to tap into the potential for businesses and other organisations to improve public health and tackle health inequalities. The core commitment of the Responsibility Deal Food Network is to encourage and enable people to adopt a healthier diet. The current work programme for the Food Network includes pledges to reduce people's calorie consumption and increase their fruit and vegetable intake, through a range of activities including promotional effort by individual companies (which could include price promotions).
	The Food Network will begin work this year on a new pledge on the promotion of healthier food products.
	The Healthy Start scheme provides vouchers (worth £3.10/week) that can be used towards the cost of milk, plain fresh and frozen fruit and vegetables and infant formula milk. Currently over 545,000 women and children in 440,000 households across the UK receive vouchers.
	The School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme provides all four to six year old children in fully state-funded infant, primary and special schools throughout England with a free piece of fruit or vegetable on every school day.

Peter Boddy

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 26 February 2013, Official Report, column 385W, on animal welfare: slaughterhouses, for what reason Mr Peter Boddy's name appears in the list of those consulted on measures to implement Regulation 1099/2009 on the protection of animals at the time of killing; and for what reason there is no record of his response.

David Heath: holding answer 11 March 2013
	All approved slaughterhouse operators, including Peter Boddy, were consulted on measures to implement Regulation 1099/2009 on the protection of animals at the time of killing. However of those consulted, very few responded. We have no record of a response from Peter Boddy and assume this is because he chose not to respond.

Polar Bears: Conservation

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps his Department is taking to encourage other EU member states to support the US's proposal to up-list polar bears to Appendix I at the forthcoming Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species in March 2013.

Richard Benyon: EU member states take a common position on proposals submitted to Conferences of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) to amend the level of protection afforded to species.
	The UK delegation attending the 16th meeting of the Conference of Parties (CoP16) to CITES, which took place in Bangkok from 3-14 March, found merit in the US proposal and worked with other member states to agree an EU position that would provide additional protection for the polar bear in a way that would better reflect evolving scientific knowledge and trade data. The EU tabled an alternative proposal, with the same aim as the US proposal of ensuring that polar bears are not threatened by international trade. We had hoped that this would command the support of all countries in which polar bears live but this was not possible. Neither the US proposal nor the EU alternative secured sufficient support by CITES Parties and so the CITES controls regulating international trade in polar bears and their products remain unchanged.

Sugar Beet

Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  if he will take steps to protect sugar beet growers' current exemption from European Unit competition rules;
	(2)  what discussions he has had with the European Commission and others on the current exemption for sugar beet growers from EU competition rules which allows collective negotiation.

David Heath: When I met the National Farmers Union Sugar Board Chairman in January, he explained his concern that the European Commission's CAP reform proposals might adversely affect the right for farmers to be represented by a single body on purchase and delivery terms under an inter-professional agreement. The limited discussion to date on this issue during the negotiations suggests that this is not the Commission's intention.
	The CAP reform proposals as a whole are on the agenda for the next meeting of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council on 18-19 March. At that meeting, the UK Government will seek a balanced outcome that allows for all parties in the sugar industry to compete on an equal basis and that safeguards the interests of sugar users, including consumers.

Tobacco: Subsidies

Jesse Norman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much subsidy was paid by the EU for the growing or production of tobacco in each of the last 10 years.

David Heath: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 11 March 2013, Official Report, column 17W.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Developing Countries: Malaria

Jeremy Lefroy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress she has made in implementing programmes to increase the prevention and treatment of malaria in less developed countries.

Lynne Featherstone: DFID directly supports malaria control efforts in 17 high burden malaria countries where we have bilateral programmes. DFID is funding programmes to deliver bednets and indoor residual spraying programmes and to improve the quality of diagnosis and treatment. DFID also invests in multilateral organisations such as the Global Fund to fight against AIDS, TB and Malaria and the World Health Organisation, which have programmes in all countries with a high malaria burden. In addition, DFID directly supports research programmes, evidence generation and new product development in malaria, and is active in artemisinin resistance containment efforts in South-East Asia.
	UK support will help halve malaria deaths in at least 10 high burden countries by 2015, and sustain these gains into the future.

Developing Countries: Malaria

Jeremy Lefroy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress her Department has made in targeting support on those who most need malaria drugs; and which interventions have been proven to work in the latest period which figures are available.

Lynne Featherstone: The need for malaria drugs is particularly high in sub-Saharan Africa, where 90% of malaria deaths occur, and among the poor. In Ghana 34% of a poor family's income can be spent on avoiding or treating malaria.
	The UK Government is a strong supporter of the Affordable Medicine Facility for Malaria (AMFm). An independent evaluation of phase one of the AMFm conducted in 2012 confirmed overall success in generating greater accessibility of high quality malaria drugs, at lower prices, to those who need them. We recently announced UK support of up to £36 million for the transition of the AMFm from a pilot into core Global Fund programmes. This should provide quality, affordable treatment to those in need, in more countries.

Developing Countries: Malaria

Jeremy Lefroy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development with reference to the business plan for malaria, what progress she has made on removing the barriers that prevent people seeking medical care.

Lynne Featherstone: Barriers to accessing medical care include financial and geographical access to services and the poor quality of care at service providers. In many countries the UK Government has long taken a health systems strengthening approach to service provision.
	With regard to malaria the Affordable Medicines Facility for malaria (AMFm) initiative is aimed at reducing barriers in access to malaria care through ensuring affordable prices of high quality malaria treatment.

Developing Countries: Malaria

Jeremy Lefroy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development with reference to the business plan for malaria, what progress she has made in ensuring that health systems and services are of the highest quality.

Lynne Featherstone: The UK Government supports Universal Health Coverage, which aims to ensure that all people have access to health services that are of sufficient quality, without the risk of financial hardship. The UK Government's support to health system strengthening contributes to the provision of higher quality and more effective services on a sustained basis.

Developing Countries: Medical Treatments

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what support her Department has provided for research and development into vaccines and treatment for HIV, tuberculosis and malaria in the last two years.

Lynne Featherstone: For the last two years for which financial records are complete, DFID provided £40 million in 2010-11 and £33 million in 2011-12 in support of research and development into vaccines and treatments for HIV, tuberculosis and malaria.

Developing Countries: Medical Treatments

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what support her Department plans to provide for research and development into vaccines and treatment for HIV, tuberculosis and malaria in the next two years.

Lynne Featherstone: DFID is currently running a competition for research funding for research and development into vaccines and treatments for HIV, tuberculosis and malaria and other diseases of poverty. The results of the competition will not be available until later in the year and therefore it is not possible to estimate the level of support at this time.

Developing Countries: Religion

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what work she is (a) funding or (b) undertaking as part of her Department's faith partnership principles to develop evaluation methodologies for the work of faith groups.

Lynne Featherstone: “Faith Partnership Principles Paper” aims to strengthen and guide DFID's future relationship and collaboration with faith groups and recommended that the Faith Working Group should establish a “Community of Learning” to map the work of faith and produce guidance on evaluation of the impact of faith groups. A coalition of faith groups, academia and civil society organisations has established a “Joint Learning Initiative” to do this. DFID has been supportive of this coalition and, following a meeting with representatives of the Joint Learning Initiative on 26 February, plans are being developed on how to take this work forward.

Mobile Phones

Gary Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which company holds the largest contract to provide mobile telephony services to her Department; how much is paid each year under that contract; how many individual devices are covered by the contract; when the contract was awarded; and when and how the contract will next be reviewed.

Alan Duncan: DFID has one centrally let contract with Vodafone for the provision of mobile telephony services. The contract is a call-down from a Government Procurement Service (GPS) framework agreement. The Department pays approximately £200,000 to Vodafone each year under this contract depending on the number of users (the number of users currently stands at 600). The current contract was awarded in February 2011 and is due for renewal in March 2015. DFID continually reviews performance with the supplier (Vodafone) to ensure a high standard of service delivery.

Telephone Services

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the answer of 13 March 2013, Official Report, column 280, on telephone services, whether an alternative UK landline number beginning with 01, 02 or 03 is publicly available as an alternative to the 0845 number for the Public Inquiry Point.

Alan Duncan: No alternative number is offered to DFID's 0845 number.

UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Tony Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the Government's policy is on the addition of disability to the list of cross-cutting issues in the EU Development Co-operation Instrument due to the UK and EU's obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Lynne Featherstone: As part of its wider work on promoting human rights, the UK Government is encouraging other governments to sign, ratify and implement the UN convention on the rights of persons with disabilities. The UK worked closely with European Union (EU) partners and the European Commission to achieve EU ratification of the convention and supports the inclusion of disability in EU Development Co-operation instruments.

CABINET OFFICE

Mobile Phones

Dai Havard: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office which company holds the largest contract to provide mobile telephony services to his Department; how much is paid each year under that contract; how many individual devices are covered by the contract; when the contract was awarded; and when and how the contract will next be reviewed.

Nick Hurd: The Cabinet Office has a single contract in place with Vodafone for the provision of mobile services. The contract was awarded in 2011 and will be reviewed in 2014. At present, it covers 1,317 individual devices and annual spend is £280,000.

Mutual Societies

Peter Bottomley: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what his policy is on developing mutuals.

Nick Hurd: The Cabinet Office is currently tracking over 100 emerging and established public service mutuals across 13 different sectors. It offers various support:
	The Mutuals Information Service incorporates an online resource library and website, as well as a telephone hotline.
	The Mutuals Support Programme is a modest £10 million fund which procures professional support, such as business planning and legal advice, and has to date worked with over 30 different projects.
	The Mutuals Ambassadors Programme, through which 20 inspiring leaders from across the mutuals sector troubleshoot concerns on the ground, share their commercial expertise, identify upcoming projects, and advocate and promote the agenda.
	In addition, the Cabinet Office is working closely with Departments to encourage the growth and creation of mutuals in specific areas.

Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Act 2011

Chris Skidmore: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will estimate what the (a) total and (b) average annual savings of the Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Act 2011 has been.

Chloe Smith: The Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies (PVSC) Act 2011 provides for reducing the number of MPs from 650 to 600 and the holding of a referendum on adopting the alternative vote for UK parliamentary elections.
	The Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013 moves the first review of parliamentary constituency boundaries under the PVSC Act 2011, which would reduce the number of MPs from 650 to 600, from 2013 to 2018. The reduction in the number of MPs would deliver an estimated saving of £13.6 million a year. There are no cost savings associated with the referendum on the alternative vote, which was held on 5 May 2011.

Working Mothers

Chris Ruane: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many and what proportion of young mothers with children under seven years of age worked (a) full-time and (b) part-time in each year for which figures are available.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Glen Watson, dated March 2013
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics. I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking how many and what proportion of young mothers with children under seven years of age worked (a) full-time and (b) part-time in each year for which figures are available. (148492)
	Estimates have been provided from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) household datasets. They show the estimated number and proportion of young mothers with children under seven years of age working full-time and part-time for the UK in April to June of each year since 1996. It was not possible to provide estimates prior to 1996 as this is the earliest that household datasets are available.
	The estimates are derived from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) and are not seasonally adjusted. As with any sample survey, estimates from the LFS are subject to a margin of uncertainty.
	
		
			 Number and proportion of young mothers(1) with children under seven years of age working full-time/part-time, April to June 1996 to 2012, United Kingdom 
			  Number of young mothers working (thousand) Percentage of young mothers working 
			  Full-time Part-time Full-time Part-time 
			 1996 41 96 8.8 20.5 
			 1997 42 87 9.7 20.0 
			 1998 36 93 8.3 21.4 
			 1999 50 91 11.1 20.2 
			 2000 52 81 12.6 19.6 
			 2001 44 93 10.7 22.8 
			 2002 46 121 10.3 26.9 
			 2003 49 105 11.1 23.9 
			 2004 53 100 12.2 23.1 
			 2005 52 102 11.5 22.8 
			 2006 51 89 11.7 20.6 
			 2007 57 95 13.0 21.5 
			 2008 66 96 13.8 20.1 
			 2009 57 115 11.8 23.7 
			 2010 62 94 13.6 20.6 
			 2011 57 100 12.6 22.1 
			 2012 62 118 12.9 24.6 
			 (1) A young mother is between the ages of 16 and 24 Source: Labour Force Survey household datasets

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Computer Software

Jeremy Lefroy: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what his policy is on open source software.

Brandon Lewis: My Department is committed to supporting the Government's ICT plans and is adopting the relevant key components of the common ICT infrastructure that includes the greater use of open source, as laid out in the April 2012 Cabinet Office policy document.
	www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/sites/default/files/resources/All_About_Open_Source_v2_0.pdf
	In line with this, we are taking forward our applications roadmap and where appropriate we will recommend the use of open source products to replace our existing applications.
	The new gov.uk website which DCLG uses is built on open source software. The single domain is built using ruby on rails
	www.rubyonrails.org/
	and the micro sites that sit beneath the main platform are based on Wordpress content management.
	www.wordpress.org
	Further information can be found at the following link:
	http://digital.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/2012/10/12/coding-in-the-open/
	In my Department, we also utilise several free system administrator tools, including spice works and wall watcher.
	In my department's publication “50 Ways to Save”, we have encouraged the use of open source software as a cost effective option for local authorities.

Derelict Land: Suffolk

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate he has made of the potential capacity for new housing on brownfield sites which are currently unconsented for in (a) Bury St Edmunds constituency and (b) Suffolk in each of the last three years.

Mark Prisk: Information on the potential capacity of brownfield land is available from the National Land Use Database of Previously-Developed Land. This is not collected at constituency level. However the returns for the last three years currently available for Suffolk and the local authorities of St Edmundsbury and Mid Suffolk are set out in the following tables. The data refers to the area of brownfield land without planning permission or allocation which local authorities judged to have the capacity to deliver the housing numbers quoted.
	
		
			 Area (Hectares) 
			  2007 2008 2009 
			 St Edmundsbury 7 7 9 
			 Mid Suffolk 22 23 23 
			 Suffolk 141 166 171 
		
	
	
		
			 Potential housing capacity 
			  2007 2008 2009 
			 St Edmundsbury 159 168 245 
			 Mid Suffolk 691 708 708 
			 Suffolk 3638 4524 4667 
		
	
	Further information can be found for published reports from 2007 to 2009 at:
	http://www.homesandcommunities.co.uk/nlud-pdl-results-and-analysis
	http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20110218193442/homesandcommunities.co.uk/nlud
	http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20110218193442/http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/corporate/statistics/previouslydevelopedland2007

Domestic Visits: Prime Minister

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the average cost to a local authority was of hosting a constituency visit from the Prime Minister in the last year for which figures are available.

Brandon Lewis: The information requested is not held by the Department.

Housing: Sustainable Development

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many homes designed to meet level six of the code for sustainable homes have been (a) started and (b) completed since May 2010.

Don Foster: Statistical information about the Code for Sustainable Homes and the energy performance of buildings is published quarterly on the:
	www.gov.uk
	website. Code level 6 is the highest standard, and is both expensive and difficult to achieve. It also goes beyond the Government's zero carbon definition.
	The last quarterly Statistical Release provided information up to December 2012. For Code level 6, between May 2010 and December 2012, 264 design stage certificates and 221 post-construction stage certificates were issued. For the entire period of the Code's existence up to May 2010, 105 design stage certificates and seven post-construction stage certificates were issued.

Local Audit Bill (Draft)

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he plans to carry out a fresh financial impact assessment on the measures in the proposed Local Audit Bill prior to its publication.

Brandon Lewis: The Government will publish an updated impact assessment alongside the final Bill, incorporating the most up to date figures on the Audit Commission's costs. The impact assessment assesses the costs and benefits of the whole package of reforms and shows all costs and savings each year, over a 10-year period from 2009-10 (the last full year of the Audit Commission's operation before the Government's programme of reform began in 2010) to 2019-20. It shows all costs and savings in the run up to and after the closure of the residual Audit Commission. It shows that the programme to end routine inspection and assessment, disband the Audit Commission and introduce a new local audit framework will save £650 million of taxpayers' money over a five-year period.

Local Government Finance

Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many representations from non-metropolitan counties he has received following the publication of the Draft Local Government Finance Settlement 2013/14.

Brandon Lewis: Consultation on the provisional Local Government Finance settlement for 2013-14 ended on 15 January 2013. 26 responses were received from 21 non-metropolitan counties, including four from county councils that have the functions of district councils.

Local Government Finance: Merseyside

John Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much local authority grant has been given to the five local authorities in the Merseyside region in (a) 2010, (b) 2011, (c) 2012 and (d) 2013 to date.

Brandon Lewis: Local figures on local authority financing can be found on my Department's website:
	Revenue account budget 2012-13:
	www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-authority-revenue-expenditure-and-financing-england-2012-to-2013-individual-local-authority-data
	Revenue outturn 2011-12:
	www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-authority-revenue-expenditure-and-financing-england-2011-to-2012-individual-local-authority-data--2
	Revenue outturn 2010-11:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-authority-revenue-expenditure-and-financing-england-2010-to-2011-individual-local-authority-data--5
	2013-14 figures are not currently available.

Localism Act 2011

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether he plans to collect data on the average number of community plans in each constituency as a result of the Localism Act 2011.

Nicholas Boles: This information is not collected centrally. However, informal monitoring of local planning authority websites tells us that as of 15 March, 430 communities have taken the first formal step in the process of producing a neighbourhood plan by applying to formally designate their neighbourhood planning area.

Localism Act 2011

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether he plans to collect data on the average contract length for social housing following the coming into force of the Localism Act 2011.

Mark Prisk: Data on the length of fixed-term tenancies are being collected through CORE (the Continuous Recording of Lettings and Sales in Social Housing in England). This question was introduced for the 2012-13 data collection and the annual publication is due in autumn 2013.

Localism Act 2011

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether he plans to collect data on the average number of pieces of property which are being bought by communities in each constituency as a result of the Localism Act 2011.

Don Foster: The Department does not formally collect data on the number of assets which have been sold to communities using the Assets of Community Value provisions in the Localism Act 2011.

Localism Act 2011

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether he plans to collect data on the average number of pieces of property in each constituency which local councils are reserving so communities can buy them as a result of the Localism Act 2011.

Don Foster: Local authorities are responsible for maintaining a list which contains their assets of community value. The scheme known as the Community Right to Bid does not require the owner to sell to a community group, but improves the opportunity for this outcome. My Department has asked local authorities who administer the scheme to provide an update on how the scheme is operating in their area. To date I am aware that at least 252 assets of community value have been listed in England.

Localism Act 2011

Chris Skidmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will estimate what the (a) total and (b) average annual savings of the Localism Act 2011 has been.

Don Foster: The Summary Impact Assessment for the Bill, was published on 31 January 2011 and can be found at:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/localism-bill-summary-impact-assessment
	However, it is too early to provide a meaningful estimate of savings arising from the Act's implementation as a whole. Cabinet Office guidance requires the Post-Legislative Scrutiny of Acts to be carried out between three and five years after Royal Assent.

Official Hospitality

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what costs his Department incurred in providing refreshments for Ministers since May 2010.

Brandon Lewis: We do not routinely incur expenditure on refreshments for Ministers other than de minimis expenditure on tea and coffee for Ministers' meetings with external visitors, or on occasion when Ministers undertake overnight stays on official business outside London.
	I also refer the hon. Member of my answer to him of 22 January 2013, Official Report, column 207W, outlining how we have saved taxpayers' money by tackling ministerial group spending on expensive restaurants.

Overtime

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the (a) average cost per member of staff and (b) total cost was of overtime payments in (i) his Department and (ii) each of its arm's length bodies in (A) 2010-11, (B) 2011-12 and (C) 2012-13 to date.

Brandon Lewis: The information requested is as follows:
	Median salaries
	The median salary of departmental staff, excluding the Permanent Secretary, was £35,295 in 2010-11 and £36,022 in 2011-12. Such average figures were influenced by machinery of government changes and departmental restructuring.
	Figures for 2012-13 will be published in our annual report in due course. Figures for the Department's arm’s length bodies are not held centrally.
	Overtime
	The following table shows how my Department has significantly reduced the cost of overtime:
	
		
			 Core Department Total cost of overtime payments (£) 
			 2008-09 703,316 
			 2009-10 542,906 
			 2010-11 413,076 
			 2011-12 399,543 
			 2012-13 to date 273,635 
		
	
	To place this in context, total departmental staffing costs were £106 million in 2011-12, hence overtime represents 0.4% of the pay bill in that year.
	Figures for our arm’s length bodies are:
	
		
			 Total cost of overtime payments 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 to date 
			 Fire Service College 47,719.71 39,153.75 35,437.25 
			 Ordnance Survey 274,779.66 75,333.94 n/a 
			 Planning Inspectorate 33,13645 54,785.35 70,708.24 
			 Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre 80,065.30 90,026.45 78,490.53 
			 Community Development Foundation 0.00 n/a n/a 
			 Firebuy 0.00 n/a n/a 
			 Homes and Communities Agency 67,155.86 76,311.05 63,764.28 
			 Independent Housing Ombudsman Ltd 548.14 0.00 344.18 
			 Infrastructure Planning Commission 978.24 8,351.90 n/a 
			 Leasehold Advisory Service 0.00 0.00 0.00 
			 London Thames Gateway Development Corporation 0.00 0.00 0.00 
			 Standards Board for England 0.00 1,932.99 n/a 
			 Tenants Services Authority 16,084.00 13,308.79 n/a 
			 Thurrock Development Corporation 2,258.55 1,273.11 n/a 
			 Valuation Tribunal Service 0.00 0.00 0.00 
			 West Northamptonshire Development Corporation 0.00 0.00 0.00 
		
	
	Ordnance Survey are no longer part of the Department. The Community Development Foundation, Firebuy, Infrastructure Planning Commission, Standards Board for England, Tenants Services Authority and Thurrock Development Corporation have since closed. The Government offices for the regions, which are not included above, have also closed.
	Based on current estimates (which reflect accounting consequences from machinery of government changes), the DCLG Group is reducing its annual running costs by 41% in real terms by 2014-15. This equates to net savings of at least £532 million over this spending review period.

Planning Permission

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many local authorities in England have drawn up local development plans that have been judged by the Planning Inspectorate to be compliant with the National Planning Policy Framework; and how many have now adopted that plan.

Nicholas Boles: The Planning Inspectorate have completed 17 examinations on plans that have been submitted to them post 27 March 2012 and found them, with main modifications, to be compliant with the National Planning Policy Framework. 10 of those plans have now proceeded to adoption.
	For the purposes of decision-making, policies in local plans should not be considered out of date simply because they were adopted prior to the publication of the National Planning Policy Framework. Due weight should be given to relevant policies in existing plans according to their degree of consistency with this framework (the closer the policies in the plan to the policies in the framework, the greater the weight that may be given). Decision-takers may also give weight to relevant policies in emerging plans.
	71% of local planning authorities in England now have a local plan at the publication stage or beyond. To place this progress in context, six years after the passage of the last Administration's Planning Act 2004, only 57 Core Strategies had been adopted out of 335 local planning authorities by May 2010.

Planning Permission

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many (a) cases before and (b) decisions by the Planning Inspectorate on appeal there have been since 27 March 2012, by (i) appeals following refusal by the local authority and (ii) non-determination by the local authority.

Nicholas Boles: The following table shows the number of planning appeals (including Householder Appeals Service cases) decided over a comparative period, split by the incoming appeal being due to non-determination and refusal.
	
		
			 Appeals decided Non-determination Refusal 
			 2009-10 391 16,908 
			 2010-11 398 15,436 
			 2011-12 420 14,093 
			 April 2012 to December 2012 310 9,353 
		
	
	These figures refute the suggestion that the National Planning Policy Framework would lead to 'planning by appeal'.
	More broadly, the number of planning applications has risen under this Government, as have approval rates. Our planning reforms are promoting more sustainable development and more local decision-making.

Regional Planning and Development

Jeremy Lefroy: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  what his policy is on planning and ribbon development along transport arteries;
	(2)  what his policy is on planning and ribbon development adjacent to the proposed route of High Speed 2.

Nicholas Boles: National planning policy for development along transport arteries is set out in the National Planning Policy Framework. This provides guidance for local planning authorities and decision-takers in drawing up plans and as a material consideration in determining applications.

Senior Civil Servants

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 9 January 2013, Official Report, columns 278-79W, on senior civil servants, how much his Department has spent on compensation packages for senior staff who have been made redundant in each year since 2010.

Brandon Lewis: holding answer 15 January 2013
	As outlined in the answer of 28 April 2011, Official Report, column 552W, as part of the coalition Government's ambition of a more decentralised state, we have restructured the departmental group, reducing staffing levels, including reducing the number of senior civil servants.
	Consequently, the expenditure information requested for departmental exits, under the prevailing December 2010 exit arrangements, in 2011-12 was £2,463,312 and £657,461 in 2012-13 (to end December 2012).
	To place this in context, based on current estimates, the DCLG Group is reducing its annual running costs by 41% in real terms by 2014-15. This equates to net savings of at least £532,000,000 over this spending review period.
	Moreover, our departmental audited annual accounts for the core Department show that total staff costs fell from £216 million in 2009-10 to £109 million in 2011-12; this is an annual saving of £107,000,000.

Training

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much his Department spent on training and education for civil servants in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; and if he will make a statement.

Brandon Lewis: There is a business case for staff to maintain and build their specialist skills and further their professional development to help them do their jobs better.
	Notwithstanding, the following table, based on information contained in our departmental audited annual accounts for the core Department, shows how administrative spending on the category 'training and conferences' has fallen. It also illustrates total staff costs.
	
		
			  Spending on 'training and conferences' Staff costs 
			 2009-10 £6.2 million £216 million 
			 2010-11 £3.2 million £184 million 
			 2011-12 £408,000 £109 million 
		
	
	I would add that Civil Service Learning was established in April 2011 in response to a wide ranging review of the delivery of training in the civil service. The new model recognises the need for the civil service to get better value out of its investment in training, reduce duplication in the procurement of learning solutions and make greater use of the external market to provide the training which the civil service requires. These reforms will save taxpayers' money and improve the overall quality of training provision.
	Based on current estimates (which reflect accounting consequences from machinery of Government changes), the DCLG Group is reducing its annual running costs by 41% in real terms by 2014-15. This equates to net savings of at least £532 million over this spending review period.

Travel

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much his Department spent on (a) the Government Car Service and (b) other taxi or car services for ministerial travel in each year since 2009-10; and if he will make a statement.

Brandon Lewis: This Government have taken a series of steps to reduce the cost of ministerial travel. Our departmental spend with the Government Car and Despatch Agency on ministerial travel has fallen by 58% from 2009-10 to 2011-12.
	Details for the cost of ministerial cars are published in the annual written ministerial statement (28 October 2010, Official Report, column 23WS; 16 January 2012, Official Report, column 30WS; 20 December 2012, Official Report, column 127WS). Details of the costs for 2012-13 will be published in the normal way later this year.
	Use of a Hackney Carriage taxi is often cheaper and more cost-effective than using the pool car arrangements provided by the Government Car Service. From 2008-09 to 2009-10, expenditure by ministerial offices was £3,751; comparative spending from 2010-11 to 2011-12 was £3,248. This figure includes travel by staff within ministerial offices—it is not a figure solely for travel by Ministers.
	Ministers have made occasional use of private hire vehicles when making official visits to different parts of the country; total expenditure on such vehicles for the period in question is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

Horse Meat

Mary Creagh: To ask the Attorney-General whether the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has sought legal advice from the Law Officers' Departments on (a) police investigations into the horsemeat scandal and (b) with regard to the naming of companies possibly implicated in the illegal adulteration of meat products with horsemeat.

Dominic Grieve: By long-standing convention, observed by successive Administrations, the fact of, and the substance of advice from the Law Officers is not disclosed outside Government. The convention against disclosure is also set out in paragraph 2.13 of the Ministerial Code.

Human Trafficking: Illegal Immigrants

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General what information is held by the Crown Prosecution Service on the number of victims of human trafficking who have been prosecuted for illegal immigration offences since 2010.

Oliver Heald: I am unable to provide data on the number of victims of human trafficking who have been prosecuted for immigration offences. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) Case Management System (CMS) cannot identify if a defendant who has been charged with an immigration offence is also a victim of human trafficking. The CPS is committed to bringing the perpetrators of human trafficking and criminal gangs exploiting people in the first place to justice.

Serious Fraud Office

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General with reference to paragraph 1.56 of Sir Alex Allan's report on the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), published on 4 March 2013, whether the internal investigation into the circumstances of the SFO and police raid has concluded; and what the findings of that investigation have been.

Oliver Heald: Available records show that an informal internal investigation concluded that SFO staff had not informed the press about the searches before they took place.

Serious Fraud Office

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General whether any current members of Serious Fraud Office staff occupy posts that were (a) not publicly advertised and (b) not subject to open competition.

Dominic Grieve: As at the end of February 2013 the SFO employed 303 staff (293.46 FTE). 288 (278.9 FTE) of those staff were recruited either directly in to the SFO through fair and open competition or were existing civil servants transferring in from other Government Departments.
	15 (14.56) staff on fixed term contracts were recruited as permitted exceptions to fair and open competition. These appointments are all appropriately documented as exceptions. All other posts were advertised on the civil service jobs website.

Serious Fraud Office

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General what the value was of the five largest entries in the Serious Fraud Office's gifts and hospitality register in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11, (c) 2011-12 and (d) 2012-13 to date.

Oliver Heald: The information requested is shown in the following table:
	
		
			 £ 
			  2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 
			 1 225 40 120 225 
			 2 225 35 104 170 
			 3 70 25 95 80 
			 4 30 20 71 80 
			 5 25 15 65 80

Serious Fraud Office

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General what the total value was of (a) gifts and (b) hospitality received by Serious Fraud Office staff in (i) 2009-10, (ii) 2010-11, (iii) 2011-12 and (iv) 2012-13 to date.

Dominic Grieve: The Serious Fraud Office has a gifts and hospitality register. Information compiled from this is shown in the following table. By its nature, information about the value of gifts and hospitality can be inaccurate as this often has to be estimated. Not all entries in the register have an estimated value for the gift or hospitality received.
	
		
			  Value (£) 
			 2009-10 738 
			 2010-11 195 
			 2011-12 1,053 
			 2012-13 1,344 
		
	
	The apparent increase in the two latter years is in part attributable to a greater number of entries having an estimated value.

Serious Fraud Office

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General when the Serious Fraud Office most recently prosecuted a cartel offence.

Dominic Grieve: The Serious Fraud Office has not prosecuted any cartel offences under section 188 of the Enterprise Act 2002.

Serious Fraud Office

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General how many compromise agreements have been entered into by departing Serious Fraud Office staff since 2010; and whether any of these agreements contained gagging clauses.

Dominic Grieve: Compromise agreements have been signed with five departing civil servants and the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) since 2010. Four of those contained confidentiality clauses.
	However, all civil servants leaving the SFO are required to sign a form which includes a clause that they agree to keep confidential and not disclose any information relating to the SFO and/or its business without authority from a member of the department.

Serious Fraud Office

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General whether the Serious Fraud Office meets the cost of damages claims awarded against it from its own budget.

Dominic Grieve: The SFO meets the cost of damages claims from its own budget wherever possible. With some large claims and non-fault case liabilities, discussions may take place with HM Treasury as to whether a call can be made on the reserve.

HEALTH

Ambulance Services: East Midlands

Andy Sawford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions he has had with the East Midlands Ambulance Service regarding response times.

Anna Soubry: There have been no recent ministerial discussions with the East Midlands Ambulance Service National Health Service Trust about response times. However, I met the Trust on 21 January 2013 about response times in my capacity as the local Member of Parliament for Broxtowe.
	The Department monitors ambulance trust performance closely, and may discuss with strategic health authorities, as in this case, what action may be needed to improve performance where a trust is operating below standard. However, it is for ambulance trusts and their commissioners to plan, develop and improve services.

Ambulance Services: East Midlands

Andy Sawford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the East Midlands Ambulance Service Being the Best review.

Anna Soubry: The Department has not assessed the East Midlands Ambulance Service National Health Service Trust Being the Best review.
	The local national health service is responsible for reviewing the provision of local health services. The Department expects that proposals for local health service changes meet strengthened criteria to demonstrate:
	support from general practice commissioners;
	strengthened public and patient engagement;
	sound clinical evidence base underpinning, proposals; and
	that proposals support patient choice.

Anorexia: North West

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the availability of facilities for force-feeding children and young adults suffering from anorexia in (a) the North West and (b) Lancashire;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the NHS in tackling the non-physical causes of anorexia;
	(3)  what steps he is taking to ensure that care for anorexia sufferers continues to meet their needs once they reach adulthood;
	(4)  how many eating disorders were diagnosed in each NHS region by (a) age group and (b) sex of patient in 2012.

Norman Lamb: No assessment has been made or is currently planned of the availability of facilities for force-feeding children and young adults suffering from anorexia in the North West and Lancashire.
	Eating disorders are characterised by an abnormal attitude towards food that causes someone to change their eating habits and behaviour. They include a range of conditions that can affect someone physically, psychologically and socially. The causes are complex and eating disorder services manage the different aspects of an individual's condition according to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines. NICE produced a guideline on the core interventions in the treatment and management of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and related eating disorders in 2004 and this will be updated in 2014.
	The guidelines give clear recommendations on the type of treatments that are available, and set out a structured pathway of care. NICE has also published information for the public that explains the guideline and sets out what people with eating disorders can expect from the national health service.
	Responsibility for commissioning specialist in-patient eating disorders services (both adult and children) will transfer to the NHS Commissioning Board from April 2013 and the NHS Commissioning Board has consulted on a national service specification against which it will commission these services.
	Getting the transition into adult services right for sufferers and families is addressed within this national service specification.
	It is our expectation that this approach will result in better planning and co-ordination of specialised services, greater equity of access, care and outcomes for patients and a more pro-active and systematic approach to service development, research and innovation.
	The Department does not hold information centrally on the numbers of eating disorders diagnosed in each NHS region by age group or sex of patient in 2012, but information published by the Health and Social Care Information Centre as part of its annual Mental Health Bulletin show that in England in 2011-12 there were 112,063 confirmed attendances with out-patient and community mental health teams providing services on eating disorders.

Antibiotics

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 1 March 2013, Official Report, column 720W, on antibiotics, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policy of the German Bundestag's legislative proposal to amend regulations on the use of medications for livestock, to include stronger conditions for antibiotic use and more control over, and greater transparency on, their use.

David Heath: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
	The German Bundestag's legislative proposal should be viewed in the context of the Veterinary Medicinal Products Directive 2001/82/EC (as amended) which sets out the controls on the manufacture, authorisation, marketing, distribution and post-authorisation surveillance of veterinary medicines applicable in all EU member states. The directive provides the basis for the UK controls on veterinary medicines, which are set out nationally in the veterinary medicines regulations.
	The directive is currently under revision and the Commission's draft legislative proposal is expected later this year. The Government, other member states and the Commission are examining the need for additional controls for antibiotics used in animals, in particular those which are critically important for human health.
	The Government recognises that the availability of veterinary medicines, including antibiotics, is essential to ensure the health of livestock, since in the same way as humans, animals suffer from disease which has to be treated. Nevertheless, the use of antibiotics should not replace effective biosecurity and good farm management and animal husbandry systems.
	The Government will seek to ensure that these principles are reflected in the EU legislative framework in the forthcoming revisions of European legislation on animal health and welfare and on veterinary medicines.

Cancer

Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in receipt of NHS Continuing Healthcare have a cancer diagnosis.

Norman Lamb: The Department does not collect information on the numbers of individuals in receipt of NHS Continuing Healthcare who have a diagnosis of cancer.

General Practitioners

Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost was of setting up (a) the Greater Preston, Chorley and South Ribble Clinical Commissioning Group and (b) clinical commissioning groups in England as a whole.

Anna Soubry: Clinical commissioning groups will assume statutory responsibility for commissioning health services from April 2013 and, as such, the costs associated with the transition to the new health and care system are still to be determined.

Horses: Slaughterhouses

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many horses were slaughtered at each abattoir in the UK in each of the last five years.

Anna Soubry: The Food Standards Agency records the number of solipeds (a mammal having a single hoof on each foot, including horses, ninnies, mules and asses) slaughtered in the UK in the last five years in each abattoir. This information is detailed in the following table; the majority will be horses:
	
		
			    Number of solipeds slaughtered in each abattoir in the United Kingdom 
			 Establishment name Establishment no. Country 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 
			 G and GB Hewitt Ltd 4140 England 0 89 63 1 131 
			 High Peak Meat Exports Ltd 4185 England 824 1,403 5,095 4,716 4,337 
		
	
	
		
			 Peter Boddy 2163 England 0 0 0 0 44 
			 Yorkshire Country Meats 2238 England 0 0 0 418 613 
			 Stillmans (Somerset) Ltd 8231 England 2,988 3,608 2,761 2,977 3,301 
			 Oakdale 9080 Northern Ireland 2 2 935 899 979 
			 Notes: 1. Yorkshire Country Meats (2238) ceased processing solipeds in September 2012. 2. Oakdale (9080) ceased processing solipeds in January 2013.

Lead: Health Hazards

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the interim findings of the Surveillance of Lead in Children Study, published by the Health Protection Agency and the British Paediatric Surveillance Unit in November 2012 on the effects on human health of exposure to lead;
	(2)  how many incidents of chronic lead exposure the Health Protection Agency has responded to in each of the last three years;
	(3)  for what reasons the Health Protection Agency does not currently have plans to hold any chemical incident response workshops on lead; and if he will make a statement.

Anna Soubry: The Health Protection Agency (HPA) have advised that it would be premature to undertake an assessment of the published findings at this stage as the data presented are preliminary and have not yet been peer reviewed and accordingly definitive conclusions should not be drawn at this stage.
	On the basis of available data held by the HPA's incident management systems the following incidents of chronic lead exposure have been responded to:
	1 July 2010 to 31 December 2010: four
	1 January 2011 to 31 December 2011: five
	1 January 2012 to 30 June 2012: six
	The HPA is considering holding a workshop on lead. The HPA last held operational lead training days in June and October 2010 in London, Leeds, Nottingham and Newcastle. Training on lead and chemical incident response for HPA staff and relevant partners is regularly undertaken as a component of continuing professional development updates which are dependent on local needs and priorities.
	Online resources for paediatricians, environmental health and health protection professionals, as well as the public, have been developed to generate awareness and provide guidance about the clinical presentation and management of lead exposure. These are available at:
	www.hpa.org.uk/ProductsServices/ChemicalsPoisons/ChemicalRiskAssessment/ChemicalIncidentManagement/LeadIncidents/

Maternity Services: North West

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health on how many occasions and for what duration the maternity units at (a) Royal Lancaster Infirmary, (b) Furness General Hospital, (c) Royal Preston Hospital and (d) West Cumberland Hospital have been unable to accept near admissions due to being over capacity in the last five years.

Daniel Poulter: This information is not collected centrally.

Midwives: Insurance

Bob Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment he has made of the willingness of insurance companies to offer affordable professional indemnity policies to private midwives.

Daniel Poulter: The independent report commissioned by the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) and Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) into the ‘Feasibility and Insurability of Independent Midwives in England’ (NMC, September 2011) acknowledged that midwives acting as individuals would not be able to secure insurance. The Department accepts this assessment. However, the Department is aware that midwives operating within a corporate entity model have been able to secure affordable indemnity cover for the whole maternity care pathway and without state intervention.
	The Department is currently consulting on the draft Health Care and Associated Professions (Indemnity Arrangements) Order 2013. As part of the consultation, the Department is specifically seeking views to understand why midwives may be unable to change their governance model in order to secure affordable indemnity cover.

NHS Walk-in Centres

Stephen McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what guidance he gives clinical commissioning groups on the retention of NHS walk-in centres;
	(2)  what guidance he gives clinical commissioning groups on consulting local people before taking a decision to discontinue funding for an NHS walk-in centre;
	(3)  what discussions he has had with hospital trusts in Birmingham about the effect on their services of a decision to discontinue the funding for walk-in centres;
	(4)  who in his Department is responsible for assessing the effect of a decision to close an NHS walk-in centre.

Anna Soubry: The Department expects that proposals for local health service changes meet strengthened criteria to demonstrate:
	support from General Practice commissioners;
	strengthened public and patient engagement;
	sound clinical evidence base underpinning proposals; and
	that proposals support patient choice.
	There have been no discussions between ministers and National Health Service Trusts in Birmingham about funding of walk-in centres. The provision of walk-in centre services, including funding, is a matter for the local national health service.
	National health service commissioners in Birmingham are currently reviewing acute services across the city, including services provided by walk-in centres. The local national health service is responsible for reviewing the provision of local health services and assessing the impact of these decisions on their health economies.

NHS: Reorganisation

Andy Sawford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what account his Department takes of evidence of demand and need when considering major reconfiguration of health services;
	(2)  what guidance his Department has issued to (a) Clinical Commissioning Groups, (b) Hospital Foundation Trusts and (c) Ambulance Trusts on the importance of integrating reviews of future service provision.

Anna Soubry: The reconfiguration of local health services is a matter for the local national health service.
	All service changes should be led by clinicians and be in the best interest of patients, not driven from the top down.
	Any proposed significant changes to services must be subject to the four tests for service reconfiguration. These tests set out that proposals should demonstrate support from local commissioners, strengthened public and patient engagement, clarity on the clinical evidence base and support for patient choice.
	Given the scale of the changes across the health system, it is important the transition to the new system is phased and carefully managed, and that local organisations are supported when redesigning services. Commissioners should work with provider organisations from the outset to enable them to plan for changes to services, and ensure they engage with local authorities, patients and the public. Where a provider wishes to bring forward proposals for change, it should discuss these with the relevant commissioners.

Prosthetics

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with charities for those who have lost a limb on commissioning a full scale review of children's prosthetic services in the 2013-14 financial year.

Daniel Poulter: There have not been any recent discussions with charities for those who have lost a limb on commissioning a review of children's prosthetic services; the Secretary of State for Health will certainly consider any representations which relevant charities make. From 1 April 2013, the NHS Commissioning Board will be responsible for commissioning prosthetics for children.
	Any service and technological improvements from the veterans' prosthetics programme eg the introduction of gait analysis facilities will also have benefits for all other prosthetic limb users, including children.

Prosthetics

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what steps his Department is taking to ensure amputees treated in the NHS have access to the most appropriate, advanced prosthetic technology that will enable them to lead mobile and independent lives;
	(2)  what steps his Department is taking to ensure civilian amputees have access, where appropriate, to the same standard of prosthetic technology and care as military veterans;
	(3)  what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the recommendations in the Specialised Commissioning Draft Report on microprocessor knees can be met;
	(4)  how much has been spent on (a) prosthetic services and (b) prosthetic devices by the NHS in England in the last five years.

Norman Lamb: The Government has committed to assisting all people who have lost a limb or have a limb deficiency. Following the Health and Social Care Act 2012, the NHS Commissioning Board will become the commissioner of all NHS prosthetics services on 1 April 2013, commissioning services to a standard service specification. The specification sets out the national standards and quality of care to be provided to patients requiring prosthetic services.
	The Government has allocated £11 million over the next two years to improve the prosthetic and rehabilitation care for veteran amputees. This includes making up to £6.7 million available for nine national health service facilities across England and investment of up to £3.3 million to ensure that veterans have access to high quality prosthetics, such as microprocessor knees. In addition there will be an improvement fund of up to £1 million to improve Other prosthetic services for veterans and civilians.
	The following nine centres across the country were chosen to provide the enhanced services:
	Bristol—Disablement Services Centre, North Bristol NHS Trust
	Leicester—Leicester Specialist Mobility Centre, provided by Blatchford Clinical Services on behalf of primary care trusts
	Sheffield—Mobility and Specialised Rehabilitation Centre, Northern General Hospital
	Carlisle—Disablement Services Centre, Cumberland Infirmary, North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust
	Preston—Specialist Mobility and Rehabilitation Centre, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
	Stanmore—Stanmore Prosthetic Rehabilitation Unit, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital Trust
	Portsmouth—Prosthetic Regional Rehabilitation Department, Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust
	Birmingham—West Midlands Rehabilitation Centre, Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Trust
	Cambridge—Addenbrooke's Rehabilitation Clinic, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
	It is expected that civilian amputees will benefit from improved services in these NHS prosthetic centres. The additional funding will help to enhance both the knowledge and skills of our expert NHS staff and improve facilities for the benefit of all patients.
	The service specification for prosthetic services states that microprocessor knees could be of benefit to transfemoral amputees from the “post 9/11” conflicts. Many of these amputees will have been prescribed these units at Headley Court and will require them to be maintained and eventually replaced by the NHS. The Specialised Commissioning Draft Report recommended that the best way to establish whether transfemoral amputees could benefit from microprocessor knees is through the use of a trial unit. These are already available for patients through prosthetic services.
	The Department does not keep information centrally on how much has been spent on prosthetic services and prosthetic devices by the NHS in England in the last five years.

School Milk

Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Stevenage of 6 March 2013, Official Report, column 1086W, on school milk, 
	(1)  if he will publish all correspondence relating to why his Department did not make any further claims because of the EU concerns that, as the Department cannot guarantee that the childcare settings will be complying with the EU milk subsidy claim requirements, it should not make claims on their behalf;
	(2)  if he will publish all correspondence between his Department and the European Commission relating to (a) the return of £2,641,271.08 to the European Commission in European School Milk Subsidies in 2010 and (b) the concerns raised by the EU that, as his Department cannot guarantee that the childcare settings will be complying with the EU milk subsidy claim requirements, it should not make claims on their behalf.

Daniel Poulter: There was no direct correspondence between the Department and the European Commission (EC) about the EU School Milk Subsidy claim requirements, and about the return of money to the EC regarding European School Milk Subsidies. In the light of the child care settings non-compliance and concerns raised by the EC, the Department made the decision to repay money and not to make subsequent claims on behalf of the child care settings, as it could not guarantee that child care settings would comply with the EU School Milk Subsidy claim requirements.

Social Services

Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to develop an end-of-life indicator for the Adult Social Care Outcomes Framework.

Norman Lamb: The Adult Social Care Outcomes Framework (ASCOF) is co-produced by the Department and local government and is updated annually. As part of the development of the ASCOF for 2014-15, work is ongoing to ensure that the framework best supports and reflects central and local government priorities for adult social care. End of life care is one of several priority areas under review for inclusion in a future framework.
	In developing new measures, we remain mindful of the reporting burden on councils, and the need to retain a focus on measuring the success of the adult social care system in delivering high quality care and support.

Terminal Illnesses

Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in receipt of NHS Continuing Healthcare are classified as terminally ill.

Norman Lamb: The Department does not collect information on the numbers of individuals in receipt of NHS Continuing Healthcare who are classified as terminally ill.

Valium

Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many prescriptions for valium were dispensed by NHS doctors for patients in (a) Lancashire and (b) England in 2012.

Norman Lamb: Valium, a brand name for diazepam, cannot be specified on an NHS prescription as regulations require that the generic name be used unless particular forms, such as injections or rectal tubes are required. These more unusual forms are not available under the brand name Valium.
	The following tables provide figures for all forms of diazepam dispensed by national health service doctors, with the corresponding net ingredient cost. As most prescriptions will be dispensed by NHS pharmacists, additional information is provided for all prescriptions dispensed. Figures are for the latest available 12 month period, October 2011 to September 2012.
	
		
			 Number of diazepam prescription items written in England and dispensed by doctors, in the community, in the United Kingdom, with the net ingredient cost (NIC)(1,2) 
			  Items NIC (£) 
			 Lancashire(3) 2,830 4,766 
			 England 236,744 302,729 
			 (1) Includes dispensing doctors and personal administration. (2) Does not include prescriptions written by nurses associated with the general practitioner practice but dispensed by the practice. (3) Lancashire is defined as including Blackburn with Darwen Care Trust Plus PCT, North Lancashire Teaching PCT, Blackpool PCT, Central Lancashire PCT and East Lancashire PCT. Source: The Prescribing Analysis and CosT tool (PACT) system. NHS Business Services Authority 
		
	
	
		
			 Total number of all diazepam prescription items written in England and dispensed, in the community, in the UK, with the net ingredient cost (NIC)(1,2) 
			  Items NIC (£) 
			 Lancashire(3) 147,940 245,526 
			 England 5,134,108 6,940,691 
			 (1) Does not include prescriptions written by dentists. (2) Does not include prescriptions written in hospitals but dispensed in the community. (3) Lancashire is defined as including Blackburn with Darwen Care Trust Plus PCT, North Lancashire Teaching PCT, Blackpool PCT, Central Lancashire PCT and East Lancashire PCT. Source: The Prescribing Analysis and CosT tool (PACT) system. NHS Business Services Authority

DEFENCE

Afghanistan

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps his Department is taking to (a) identify scrap metal waste prior to the withdrawal from Afghanistan and (b) assess whether it is beneficial to return such metal to the UK for sale.

Andrew Robathan: Decisions on which equipment and material will be returned to the UK are taken on a case by case basis after considering the best value for money for the UK taxpayer. Scrap metal is identified in theatre as part of a routine disposals process. Some scrap metal comprises of equipment that is damaged and beyond economical repair, which is subsequently demilitarised and valued for sale.
	The most cost effective method for disposal of the scrap metal is then identified, and if this is selling, it can be sold locally, or in some cases when the local price is significantly below the UK market value, returned to the UK for sale here.
	The Ministry of Defence is taking a proactive and responsible approach to the recovery of equipment and material from Afghanistan.

Air Force: Redundancy

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Senior Aircraftman to Sergeant posts from the General Technicians (Mechanical) group have been made redundant in tranches 1 and 2; and how many are liable for redundancy in tranche 3.

Mark Francois: No personnel in these ranks were selected in tranche 1. 34 were selected in tranche 2. The Royal Air Force is not making any redundancies in tranche 3.

Air Force: Redundancy

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Senior Aircraftman from the Aerial Erector group have been made redundant in tranches 1 and 2; and how many are liable for redundancy in tranche 3.

Mark Francois: No personnel in this category were made redundant in tranche 1 or tranche 2. The Royal Air Force is not making any redundancies in tranche 3.

Armed Forces: Electoral Register

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to raise awareness amongst the military community of voting registration procedures.

Mark Francois: The Government is committed to members of the armed forces being able to take their full part in the democratic process, in accordance with the Armed Forces Covenant.
	The Ministry of Defence works closely with the Cabinet Office and the Electoral Commission to raise awareness of voting registration procedures, including through an annual campaign to promote service voter registration. As part of this, a Defence Instruction notice is issued, and its key messages reinforced at unit level through posted routine orders. In addition, Unit Registration Officers are expected to hold Service Registration Days at all units.

Armed Forces: Prosthetics

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been spent on (a) prosthetic services and (b) prosthetic devices by his Department in England in the last five years.

Mark Francois: From 1 April 2008 to 31 March 2013 the Ministry of Defence will have spent £4.36 million on prosthetics services and a further £10.69 million on prosthetics product purchases in England.
	These figures do not include MOD management costs or any in-patient or out-patient costs incurred at the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre at Headley Court and the University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust such as, surgery and physiotherapy.

Armed Forces: Redundancy

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Medical Officers have been made redundant in tranches 1 and 2; and how many are liable for redundancy in tranche 3.

Mark Francois: A total of six medical officers have been made redundant in tranches 1 and 2 and we expect to make a further three medical officers redundant in tranche 3. Statistics for tranches 1 and 2 of the armed forces’ redundancy scheme can be found on the Defence Analytical Services and Advice (DASA) website at the following address:
	http://www.dasa.mod.uk/applications/newWeb/www/index.php?page=67&pubType=0&thiscontent=5100&date= 2012-08-24

Armed Forces: Redundancy

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many Human Intelligence Operators have been made redundant in tranches 1 and 2; and how many are liable for redundancy in tranche 3;
	(2)  how many Intelligence Corps Linguists have been made redundant in tranches 1 and 2; and how many are liable for redundancy in tranche 3;
	(3)  how many Intelligence Corps Operator Military Intelligence posts have been made redundant in tranches 1 and 2; and how many are liable for redundancy in tranche 3.

Mark Francois: Statistics for tranches 1 and 2 of the armed forces’ redundancy scheme can be found on the Defence Analytical Services and Advice (DASA) website at the following address:
	http://www.dasa.mod.uk/applications/newWeb/www/index.php?page=67&pubType=0&thiscontent=5100& date=2012-08-24
	There were no redundancies of Human Intelligence Operators, Intelligence Corps Linguists or Intelligence Corps Operator Military Intelligence during tranches 1 and 2 of the scheme.
	As part of the January 2013 redundancy announcement for tranche 3 that earmarked 5,300 posts, 20 Intelligence Corps Operator Military Intelligence personnel are liable for selection for redundancy.

Armed Forces: Redundancy

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Interrogators have been made redundant in tranches 1 and 2; and how many are liable for redundancy in tranche 3.

Mark Francois: Statistics for tranches 1 and 2 of the armed forces’ redundancy scheme can be found on the Defence Analytical Services and Advice (DASA) website at the following address:
	http://www.dasa.mod.uk/applications/newWeb/www/index.php?page=67&pubType=0&thiscontent=5100& date=2012-08-24
	There is no trade or redundancy field in the armed forces classed as an interrogator. It is possible that personnel who have been trained in interrogation techniques will have been made redundant in tranches 1 or 2, or may be in tranche 3, depending on their main trade.

Armed Forces: Scotland

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many Scottish service personnel have a lapsed registration as a service voter;
	(2)  how many Scottish service personnel have been able to re-register as a service voter after their previous such registration lapsed.

Mark Francois: The Ministry of Defence provides a mechanism for service personnel to record their electoral registration status, but they are not required to do so, as registration remains a private matter.
	Since only a proportion of personnel choose to record their registration status, and it may not always be kept up to date, no information can be provided on lapses of registrations or re-registrations.

Armoured Fighting Vehicles

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what recent improvements his Department has made to the underside of Warrior infantry vehicles to improve the safety of personnel inside during a mine explosion;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the suitability of Warrior infantry fighting vehicles to withstand rocket propelled grenade and mine attacks.

Philip Dunne: In response to evolving threats in Afghanistan, the deployed Warrior armoured fighting vehicle fleet has undergone a series of modifications. In addition to increasing the armour protection in several locations on the vehicle, including armour specifically designed to counter rocket propelled grenade threats, blast attenuating seating has been fitted and fire suppression systems are in the process of being fitted. All of these modifications are designed to improve the safety of personnel inside the vehicle.

Army: Redundancy

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many Warrant Officer Class 2 posts in the Infantry have been made redundant in tranches 1 and 2; and how many are liable for redundancy in tranche 3;
	(2)  how many Private to Corporal posts in the Infantry have been made redundant in tranches 1 and 2; and how many are liable for redundancy in tranche 3.

Mark Francois: Statistics for tranches 1 and 2 of the armed forces' redundancy scheme can be found on the Defence Analytical Services and Advice (DASA) website at the following address:
	http://www.dasa.mod.uk/applications/newWeb/www/index.php?page=67&pubType=0&thiscontent=5100&date =2012-08-24
	During tranche 1 of the scheme, no Warrant Officer Class 2 posts—Infantry or Private to Corporal posts—Infantry were made redundant. During tranche 2, no Private to Corporal posts—Infantry were made redundant; however, 460 Private to Corporal posts—Infantry were made redundant.
	As part of the January 2013 redundancy announcement for tranche 3 that earmarked 5,300 posts, 654 Infantry personnel between the ranks of Private and Corporal are liable for selection for redundancy.

Assets

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information his Department gives to HM Treasury for the whole of Government accounts regarding asset value.

Mark Francois: For the whole of Government accounts, the Ministry of Defence submits the information on asset values published previously in its annual report and accounts, details of which are available online at the following address:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mod-annual-report-and-accounts-2011-12

Defence: Procurement

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence with reference to the Defence Equipment Plan 2012, which projects in the core equipment programme are uncommitted in the (a) combat air, (b) air support, (c) helicopters, (d) ISS, (e) ISTAR, (f) land equipment, (g) ships, (h) submarines and (i) deterrent and weapons sectors.

Philip Dunne: The majority of projects within the core equipment plan contain a mix of committed and uncommitted funding.

HMS Iron Duke

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the potential strategic advantages of installing the Artisan surveillance system on HMS Iron Duke.

Philip Dunne: The Artisan surveillance system, Radar Type 997, will be brought into service as a direct replacement for the Radar Type 996 which is used to detect and track surface and airborne threats. This delivers area surveillance for situational awareness and integration with on board weapons systems. HMS Iron Duke has been selected to test the Artisan system before it is deployed on the wider fleet when Radar Type 996 is retired from service in 2016.

HMS Victory

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of whether the televising of the excavation of the wreck of HMS Victory 1744 breaches the Deed of Gift of the wreck;
	(2)  whether his Department gave consent to the display on television of in situ human remains from the military grave of the wreck of HMS Victory 1744; and if he will make a statement.

Mark Francois: No consent was given for the display on television of in situ human remains from the military maritime grave of HMS Victory 1744.
	However, the Deed of Gift, which was signed on 12 January 2012 between the Ministry of Defence and the Maritime Heritage Foundation, contains no restrictions on the televising of activity at the wreck site of HMS Victory 1744.
	The Advisory Group established under the Deed of Gift, and the Expert Panel that was set up to support the Advisory Group, have agreed a set of key management principles that include a section on the treatment of human remains. The Maritime Heritage Foundation is considering its response to those key management principles.

Leave

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many officials in (a) his Department and (b) each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies qualify for privilege days; and what the total cost to the public purse was of the number of privilege days utilised each year by such officials.

Mark Francois: The number of civilian officials in the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and each of its agencies who qualify for privilege days are shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Number of employees entitled to privilege days 
			 MOD Main Core 46,730 
			   
			 Trading funds  
			 Defence Science and Technology Laboratory 3,850 
			 Defence Support Group 2,510 
			 Hydrographic Office 1,070 
			   
			 MOD total 54,160 
			 Note: Figures are by headcount. This is a measure of the size of the work force that counts all people equally regardless of their hours of work. Where rounding has been used, totals and sub-totals have been rounded separately and so may not equal the sums of their rounded parts. When rounding to the nearest 10, numbers ending in “5” have been rounded to the nearest multiple of 20 to prevent systematic bias. 
		
	
	We have made no calculation of the total cost to the public purse of privilege days. The cost is dependent on a number of factors including when privilege days fall, how many people take them on that day; and what work is re-prioritised or rescheduled as a result of the absence.
	The MOD announced its changes, as part of the Civil Service Reform to its policy on privilege days on 14 March 2013. These changes come into effect from May 2013.

Middle East

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many times he has visited the Middle East in an official capacity since 2010.

Philip Hammond: I have visited the Middle East in an official capacity nine times since being appointed as Secretary of State for Defence in October 2011.
	The Ministry of Defence maintains an active programme of high level defence engagement in the Middle East, with ministerial visits forming a crucial element of this.

Military Corrective Training Centre Colchester

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many personnel have been detained in each of the last five years at the Military Corrective Training Centre; and what the average length of their sentence was.

Mark Francois: The number of personnel detained in each of the last five financial years at the Military Corrective Training Centre are shown in the following table. Figures for the current financial year are correct as at 14 March 2013.
	Information about the average length of sentence is not held in the format requested.
	
		
			  Financial year 
			 Total length of service 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 
			 Under 60 days 630 610 620 490 320 
			 61 to 112 days 130 140 120 130 80 
			 113 days to 6 months 180 170 120 110 60 
			 6 months to 1 year 60 60 80 50 40 
			 1 year to 18 months 10 20 10 10 10 
			 18 months to 2 years (1)— 10 (1)— 10 10 
			 Total detainees 1140 1170 1100 910 590 
			 (1) Five people or less. Note: Totals and subtotals have been rounded separately; therefore the total for each year will not equal the sum of each subtotal.

Military Police: Redundancy

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many Lance Corporal to Staff Sergeant posts in the Royal Military Police General Duties group have been made redundant in tranches 1 and 2; and how many are liable for redundancy in tranche 3;
	(2)  how many Sergeant to Warrant Officer Class posts in the Military Provost Staff have been made redundant in tranches 1 and 2; and how many are liable for redundancy in tranche 3;
	(3)  how many Sergeant to Warrant Officer Class posts in the Royal Military Police Special Investigation Branch have been made redundant in tranches 1 and 2; and how many are liable for redundancy in tranche 3.

Mark Francois: Statistics for tranches 1 and 2 of the armed forces' redundancy scheme can be found on the Defence Analytical Services and Advice (DASA) website at the following address:
	http://www.dasa.mod.uk/applications/newWeb/www/index.php?page=67&pubType=0&thiscontent=5100&date= 2012-08-24
	No personnel between the ranks Lance Corporal to Staff Sergeant in the Royal Military Police (RMP) general duties group, and Sergeant to Warrant Officer Class in the RMP Special Investigation Branch were made redundant in tranches 1 or 2.
	While no posts between Lance Corporal and Staff Sergeant in the RMP General Duties and Sergeant to Warrant Officer Class in the RMP Special Investigation Branch have been specifically earmarked in tranche 3, RMP personnel in these ranks are within scope, and may apply to be made redundant as part of larger fields. Following consideration of those applications, and manning requirements, the number required to be made redundant will be determined.
	No personnel of Sergeant to Warrant Officer Class—Military Provost Staff were made redundant in tranches 1 or 2; and none are liable for redundancy in tranche 3.

Navy: Redundancy

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many sub lieutenant to commander posts in the Grey Sea King Group have been made redundant in tranches 1 and 2; and how many are liable for redundancy in tranche 3;
	(2)  how many petty officer diver specialists have been made redundant in tranches 1 and 2; and how many are liable for redundancy in tranche 3;
	(3)  how many leading rate to petty officer mine warfare have been made redundant in tranches 1 and 2; and how many are liable for redundancy in tranche 3;
	(4)  how many Category A2 nuclear watchkeepers have been made redundant in tranches 1 and 2; and how many are liable for redundancy in tranche 3;
	(5)  how many corporal to warrant officer class 2 royal marines have been made redundant in tranches 1 and 2; and how many are liable for redundancy in tranche 3;
	(6)  how many leading rate to petty officer seamen specialists have been made redundant in tranches 1 and 2; and how many are liable for redundancy in tranche 3;
	(7)  how many leading seamen general service (warfare) have been made redundant in tranches 1 and 2; and how many are liable for redundancy in tranche 3;
	(8)  how many leading rate aircraft controllers have been made redundant in tranches 1 and 2; and how many are liable for redundancy in tranche 3;
	(9)  how many anti-submarine warfare aircrewmen have been made redundant in tranches 1 and 2; and how many are liable for redundancy in tranche 3.

Mark Francois: Statistics for tranches 1 and 2 of the armed forces' redundancy scheme can be found on the Defence Analytical Services Agency (DASA) website, at the following address:
	http://www.dasa.mod.uk/applications/newWeb/www/index.php?page=67&pubType=0&thiscontent=5100&date= 2012-08-24
	The information requested is shown in the following table:
	
		
			 Branch/Specialisation Tranche 1 and 2 redundancies 
			 Sub Lieutenant to Commander in the Grey Sea King Group(1) 0 
			 Petty Officer Diver Specialist 0 
			 Leading Rate to Petty Officer Mine Warfare 0 
			 Category A2 Nuclear Watchkeepers(2) 0 
			 Corporal to Warrant Officer Class 2 Royal Marines(3) 0 
			 Leading Rate to Petty Officer Seaman Specialist 0 
			 Leading Seaman General Service (Warfare)(4) 10 
			 Leading Rate Aircraft Controller 0 
			 Anti-Submarine Warfare Aircrewmen 0 
			 (1) Personnel with a sub-requirement of Pilot Sea King 6 or Pilot Sea King W on their records. (2) Category A2 Nuclear Watchkeepers were exempt from both tranches of the Naval Service Redundancy Programme. (3) Royal Marines—All Ranks were exempt from both tranches of the Naval Service Redundancy Programme. (4) This figure includes all personnel at this rank in the Warfare Branch within the arm of General Service. The figure is rounded to the nearest 10 in accordance with DASA's rounding policy. 
		
	
	The Naval Service has not participated in tranche 3 of the redundancy programme although there is likely to be a need for redundancies from the medical and dental branches.

Plymouth Airport

Oliver Colvile: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how much it will cost his Department to build a heliport facility at HMS Raleigh, following the closure of Plymouth Airport;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the financial implications for flag officer sea training of the closure of Plymouth Airport.

Andrew Robathan: The Royal Navy is assessing options for a helicopter facility at HMS Raleigh to support flag officer sea training (FOST) activity only. The study is considering the scope of any development work and takes account of local social and environmental impacts. It is too early to assess the costs of any option.
	It is not possible to identify specific costs to FOST associated with the closure of Plymouth Airport.

Royal Army Medical Corps: Redundancy

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Corporal to Sergeant posts in the Royal Army Medical Corps Combat Medical Technician group have been made redundant in tranches 1 and 2; and how many are liable for redundancy in tranche 3.

Mark Francois: Statistics for tranches 1 and 2 of the armed forces’ redundancy scheme can be found on the Defence Analytical Services and Advice (DASA) website at the following address:
	http://www.dasa.mod.uk/applications/newWeb/www/index.php?page=67&pubType=0&thiscontent=5100&date=2012-08-24
	No personnel of Corporal to Sergeant in the Royal Army Medical Corps Combat Medical Technician group were made redundant in tranches 1 or 2; and none are liable for redundancy in tranche 3.

Royal Army Veterinary Corps: Redundancy

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Lance Corporal to Warrant Officer Class posts in the Royal Army Veterinary Corps Dog Handler have been made redundant in tranches 1 and 2; and how many are liable for redundancy in tranche 3.

Mark Francois: Statistics for tranches 1 and 2 of the armed forces' redundancy scheme can be found on the Defence Analytical Services and Advice (DASA) website at the following address:
	http://www.dasa.mod.uk/applications/newWeb/www/index.php?page=67&pubType=0&thiscontent=5100&date= 2012-08-24
	No personnel between the ranks Lance Corporal to Warrant Officer Class in the Royal Army Veterinary Corps who are classed as Dog Handlers were made redundant in tranches 1 or 2; and none are liable for redundancy in tranche 3.

Royal Artillery: Redundancy

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many Bombardier to Sergeant posts in the Royal Artillery Integrated Unmanned Air System Operator group have been made redundant in tranches 1 and 2; and how many are liable for redundancy in tranche 3;
	(2)  how many Royal Artillery Fire Support Team Commanders have been made redundant in tranches 1 and 2; and how many are liable for redundancy in tranche 3;
	(3)  how many Observation Post Assistants in the Royal Artillery have been made redundant in tranches 1 and 2; and how many are liable for redundancy in tranche 3.

Mark Francois: Statistics for tranches 1 and 2 of the armed forces' redundancy scheme can be found on the Defence Analytical Services and Advice (DASA) website at the following address:
	http://www.dasa.mod.uk/applications/newWeb/www/index.php?page=67&pubType=0&thiscontent=5100&date= 2012-08-24
	No personnel of Bombardier to Sergeant in the Royal Artillery Integrated Unmanned Air System Operator group, and Observation Post Assistants were made redundant in tranches 1 or 2.
	While no posts between Bombardier to Sergeant in the Royal Artillery Integrated Unmanned Air System Operator group, or Observation Post Assistants have been specifically earmarked in tranche 3, personnel in these ranks are within scope, and may apply to be made redundant as part of larger fields. Following consideration of those applications, and manning requirements, the number required to be made redundant will be determined.
	No Royal Artillery Fire Support Team Commanders were made redundant in tranches 1 or 2; and none are liable for redundancy in tranche 3.

Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers: Redundancy

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Lance Corporal to Corporal posts in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Armourer Class 1 have been made redundant in tranches 1 and 2; and how many are liable for redundancy in tranche 3.

Mark Francois: Statistics for tranches 1 and 2 of the armed forces’ redundancy scheme can be found on the Defence Analytical Services and Advice (DASA) website at the following address:
	http://www.dasa.mod.uk/applications/newWeb/www/index.php?page=67&pubType=0&thiscontent=5100&date= 2012-08-24
	No personnel of Lance Corporal to Corporal in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Armourer Class 1 were made redundant in tranches 1 or 2; and none are liable for redundancy in tranche 3.

Royal Engineers: Redundancy

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many professionally qualified engineers in the Royal Engineers have been made redundant in tranches 1 and 2; and how many are liable for redundancy in tranche 3;
	(2)  how many Geospatial Engineer Corporals in the Royal Engineers have been made redundant in tranches 1 and 2; and how many are liable for redundancy in tranche 3.

Mark Francois: Statistics for tranches 1 and 2 of the armed forces' redundancy scheme can be found on the Defence Analytical Services and Advice (DASA) website at the following address:
	http://www.dasa.mod.uk/applications/newWeb/www/index.php?page=67&pubType=0&thiscontent=5100&date= 2012-08-24
	No Geospatial Engineer Corporals—Royal Engineers were made redundant in tranches 1 or 2; and none are liable for redundancy in tranche 3.
	As part of the January 2013 redundancy announcement for tranche 3 that earmarked 5,300 posts, one Professionally Qualified Engineer is required to be made redundant.

Royal Signals: Redundancy

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many corporal to sergeant posts in the Royal Signals Systems Operator Electronic Warfare Group have been made redundant in tranches 1 and 2; and how many are liable for redundancy in tranche 3.

Mark Francois: Statistics for tranches 1 and 2 of the armed forces' redundancy scheme can be found on the Defence Analytical Services and Advice (DASA) website at the following address:
	http://www.dasa.mod.uk/applications/newWeb/www/index.php?page=67&pubType=0&thiscontent=5100&date= 2012-08-24
	No personnel between the ranks of Corporal to Sergeant in the Royal Signals Systems Operator Electronic Warfare Group were made redundant in tranches 1 or 2; and none are liable for redundancy in tranche 3.

Termination of Employment

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many officials in (a) his Department and (b) each of its non-departmental public bodies have left that body due to (i) resignation, (ii) retirement, (iii) redundancy, (iv) transferral to another public sector post and (v) another reason in each of the last five years.

Mark Francois: The following table details the number of officials who have left the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the reason why in each of the last four financial years, and as at 31 January 2013.
	
		
			 Civilian leavers reasons FY 2008-09 FY 2009-10 FY 2010-11 FY 2011-12 FY 2012-13 to 31 January 2013 
			 MOD Main      
			 Resignation 2,000 1,190 1,220 970 840 
			 Retirement 820 720 1340 850 480 
			 Voluntary Release and Redundancy 460 400 180 40 30 
			 Voluntary Early Release Scheme (SDSR) — — — 5,950 2,930 
			 Transfer out of MOD 250 120 190 140 180 
			 Other (Reasons recorded) 2,100 1,380 1,440 1,440 680 
			 Other (Not recorded) 770 890 90 30 20 
			 MOD Main total 6,420 4,710 4,470 9,420 5,160 
			       
			 Trading funds      
			 Resignation 280 200 220 200 130 
			 Retirement 150 120 80 60 30 
			 Voluntary Release and Redundancy 40 80 150 470 20 
			 Transfer out of MOD 60 30 20 1,910 20 
			 Other (Reasons recorded) 280 310 240 280 180 
			 Other (Not recorded) 120 100 100 30 30 
			 Trading funds total 920 830 800 2,930 410 
			       
			 Overall total MOD leavers 7,340 5,540 5,270 12,360 5,570 
			 Notes: 1. All people are counted equally regardless of their hours of work. 2. MOD total leavers include all permanent, casual and trading funds civilian personnel but excludes all Royal Fleet Auxiliary and locally engaged civilians. 3. Where rounding has been used, totals and sub-totals have been rounded separately and so may not equal the sums of their rounded parts. When rounding to the nearest 10, numbers ending in "5" have been rounded to the nearest multiple of 20 to prevent systematic bias. A ‘—’ denotes 0 and a ‘~’ denotes numbers of 1 to 5. 4. The Voluntary Early Release Scheme (SDSR) is designed specifically to deliver the civilian reductions required under the strategic and defence security review from 1 July 2011 onwards and is therefore listed separately from exits due to alternative voluntary release or redundancy schemes. 
		
	
	A full breakdown of reasons categorised as other reason recorded is given in the Quarterly Civilian Personnel Report (QCPR) which can be found at:
	www.dasa.mod.uk

WORK AND PENSIONS

Children: Maintenance

Stephen Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what trace methods are used by the Child Support Agency on a routine basis to identify a confident address for a non-resident parent whose whereabouts are uncertain;
	(2)  in cases selected for inclusion in his Department's trial of the Australian model of recording and reporting arrears currently not regarded as collectable, what trace methods are used to try and identify the whereabouts of a non-resident parent, before a parent with care is notified that child maintenance arrears which are owed will not be pursued for the following 12 months, because the Child Support Agency cannot currently trace the non-resident parent.

Steve Webb: When a non-resident parent's whereabouts are unknown, there are a number of tools and sources of information that caseworkers routinely use to trace them. These include:
	Phoning the parent with care, who may know where their child's other parent is living.
	Information sourced from the Customer Information Service (CIS), a computer system used by DWP and other Government Departments to store basic identifying information and a record of benefits claimed over the past two to three years.
	Internet directories like bt.com.
	Credit reference agencies.
	HMRC.
	Local authorities.
	The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and Driver and Vehicle Licensing Northern Ireland (DVLNI).
	Accountants, Companies and Partnerships and/or Companies House (if the non-resident parent is self-employed).
	The Ministry of Defence, the Veteran's Agency or Xafinity (if the non-resident parent is or has been in the armed forces).
	The National Offenders Management Service (if the non-resident parent is or has been in prison).
	The non-resident's employer or previous employer.
	The Department began the reclassification of arrears trial in June 2012, and this limited trial will continue until the end of October 2013.
	Where a case has been selected for inclusion in this trial, it will have recently been subject to all the appropriate tracing activities before a decision is taken to inactivate the arrears.
	Following a decision to reclassify arrears on a case, where possible the parent with care is contacted and informed of the decision and given a further opportunity to provide any new information in order to enable the Department to pursue the arrears owed. It is also open to any parent with care with inactive arrears on their case to provide further information at any point, which can lead to the arrears being reclassified as active.

Children: Poverty

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of children living in poverty in Barrow-in-Furness constituency in each of the last five years.

Esther McVey: This information is not available.
	The Child Poverty Act 2010 sets four income-based UK-wide targets to be met by 2020. The targets are based on the proportion of children living in households with relative low income, combined low income and material deprivation, absolute low income and persistent poverty (all before housing costs have been taken into account). Estimates of these are published in the National Statistics Households Below Average Income (HBAI) series. HBAI uses household income adjusted (or 'equivalised') for household size and composition, to provide a proxy for standard of living.
	Information for the Barrow and Furness constituency is not available as the sample size of this survey is not sufficient to provide robust estimates.
	Three-year averages are used to report statistics by region and country, as single-year estimates are subject to volatility. The latest figures for relative and absolute low income for England and for the North West Region covering the last five years (up until 2008-09 to 2010-11) and latest figures for combined low income and material deprivation can be found in the latest HBAI publication, available at the following link:
	http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/hbai/hbai2011/index.php?page=contents
	(ISBN 978-1-78153-046-7).
	Relevant figures can be found in Table 4.db (on page 115) for the latest relative low income and combined low income and material deprivation proportions, Table 4.17ts (on page 136) for relative low income for the last five years and Table 4.23ts (on page 142) for absolute low income for the last five years.
	Income matters but considering this in isolation fails to properly reflect the reality of child poverty in the UK today. We want to develop better measures of child poverty which include income but provide a more accurate picture of the reality of child poverty. Our consultation on how best to measure child poverty closed on 15 February. A large volume of responses was received and all of these are being read and analysed to ensure that all important points are captured and used to help Ministers decide on the next steps.

Employment and Support Allowance

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the target is for decisions per day on entitlement to employment and support allowance set by his Department for decision makers; and how that target has changed since 2008.

Mark Hoban: The Department has never set targets for decisions per day on entitlement to employment and support allowance for decision makers; individual performance is monitored and compared against productivity measures, which can vary depending on the decision maker experience. These measures can change yearly to take into account other activities relevant to the delivery of the service at that time and can't, therefore, be compared with one another.

Employment and Support Allowance

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many (a) applications were submitted and (b) decisions on entitlement were made in respect of employment and support allowance in each (i) benefit delivery centre and (ii) jobcentre in the last year;
	(2)  how many decisions per day on entitlement to employment and support allowance were made (a) by all his Department's decision makers, (b) in each of his Department's benefit delivery centres and (c) in each jobcentre in the last 12 months.

Mark Hoban: The information is not available; the Department's MI systems do not go down to the level of detail required to identify decisions specific to ESA entitlement.

Housing Benefit

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his policy is on future allocations of discretionary housing payments to local authorities; and if he will make a statement.

Steve Webb: There is no change to the way in which discretionary housing payments are allocated to local authorities.
	The basis on which the various elements of discretionary housing payment funds for 2013-14 were distributed to local authorities are described in a housing benefit circular, which can be found at
	http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/s1-2013.pdf
	However, as legislation will now provide for foster carers, the £5 million that was to be allocated to the discretionary housing payment fund for foster carers will be reallocated to programme spend. Revised allocations will therefore be issued shortly.

Housing Benefit: Cumbria

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what additional funding for discretionary housing payments has been allocated to (a) Barrow-in-Furness council and (b) South Lakeland council in (i) 2012-13 and (ii) 2013-14.

Steve Webb: Barrow-in-Furness received £38,479 towards discretionary housing payments in 2012/13 and will receive £99,921 in 2013/14.
	South Lakeland received £47,049 in 2012/13 and will receive £95,456 in 2013/14.

Housing Benefit: Social Rented Housing

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the statement of 12 March 2013, Official Report, column 9WS, on housing benefit reform, if he will extend the exemption from the under-occupancy penalty to those foster carers who have more than one spare room and who have fostered more than one child at a time in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

Steve Webb: This reform is about fairness and making best use of our existing, limited social housing stock in order to reduce pressure on social housing allocations so that fewer families have to be placed in temporary accommodation. Given that many families live in overcrowded housing, it is appropriate to allow one additional room under the under-occupation measure. This will not necessarily prevent a foster carer from taking in siblings, especially young children or children of the same sex.
	If a single foster carer, or a couple fostering live alone in a three bedroom property and have two spare rooms that may be unoccupied for periods of time, they will need to make choices as to how the second room will be funded. They will also be able to apply to the Discretionary Housing Payment scheme.
	The Government's intention has always been that this group should have some protection, which is why £5 million was originally allocated to the Discretionary Housing Payment scheme. Amending the regulations will put this beyond doubt.

Jobcentre Plus

Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether, in circumstances where a jobseeker misses a Jobcentre appointment owing to attending a job interview, it is a requirement that that person's jobseeker's allowance be reduced or withdrawn.

Mark Hoban: If a person can show that they had a good reason for missing a Jobcentre appointment, they should not have their JSA sanctioned. Attending a job interview which directly clashed with their jobcentre interview should be classed as being a good reason.

Jobcentre Plus

John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of internet access devices that will be installed in jobcentres in (a) Glasgow North West constituency, (b) Glasgow, (c) Scotland and (d) the UK.

Mark Hoban: There are currently:
	(a) 12
	(b) 48
	(c) 299
	(d) 2,167

Mobile Phones

Gary Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which company holds the largest contract to provide mobile telephony services to his Department; how much is paid each year under that contract; how many individual devices are covered by the contract; when the contract was awarded; and when and how the contract will next be reviewed.

Mark Hoban: DWP acquire mobile telephony services from BT under the terms of the ICONS (Integrated Communications and Network Services) contract, an umbrella agreement that includes mobile telephony provision.
	From 1 October 2010 BT subcontracted to Vodafone for the provision of mobile telephony services. This sub-contracting arrangement is used to enable DWP to access central Government tariffs that were the subject of an agreement between Cabinet Office and Vodafone.
	The amounts paid for mobile telephony services under the contract each year (for the last three financial years) are as follows:
	
		
			  £ million 
			 2010-11 3.9 
			 2011-12 3 
			 2012-13 year to date (April to February) 2.5 
		
	
	As at February 2013 the contract covered 18,632 mobile devices. This figure comprises:
	Mobiles: 12,159
	Blackberry: 2,194
	3G Dongles: 4,279.
	The Vodafone tariffs are currently under review through a benchmarking exercise that is ongoing.
	The future of the ICONS contract (currently scheduled to expire March 2014) is also under review and the intention is to replace it with a series of contracts let through tendering exercises via the Public Services Network framework agreement. While the PSN tendering exercises progress, work is ongoing to extend the current ICONS agreement to facilitate orderly transfer of responsibility from current incumbent to future PSN supplier(s).

New Enterprise Allowance

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people have received the new enterprise allowance to date; and how many of those recipients have been in receipt of disability living allowance.

Mark Hoban: From January 2011 up to and including November 2012 there have been 31,540 new enterprise allowance (NEA) mentor starts and 15,210 weekly allowance starts. Values have been rounded to the nearest 10.
	Data on the number of NEA recipients that have been in receipt of disability living allowance are not readily available.
	These figures are based upon official Get Britain Working measures available via the DWP website. They can be found here:
	http://statistics.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd1/pwp/pwp_gbw_feb13.pdf

Sick Leave

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many staff of his Department were dismissed owing to sickness absence in the period from 1 March 2012 to 28 February 2013; and how many of those dismissed during this period had been absent due to sickness for fewer than (a) nine days in the 12 months prior to the date of dismissal, (b) three days in the six months prior to that date and (c) 1.5 days in the three months prior to that date.

Mark Hoban: In the Department for Work and Pensions 540 employees were dismissed for unsatisfactory attendance in the period from 1 March 2012 to 28 February 2013. The majority of these dismissals were for long-term sickness absence (absences of 28 days or more).
	Of the 540:
	(a) 13 employees were dismissed for fewer than nine days sickness absence in the 12 months prior to the date of dismissal.
	(b) Five employees were dismissed for fewer than three days sickness absence in the six months prior to that date.
	(c) Four employees were dismissed for fewer than 1.5 days in the three months prior to that date.
	The Department has a formal point of eight days of absence (pro rata for employees who do not work every day) in any rolling 12-month period at which warnings are considered (this may be increased as a reasonable adjustment for disabled employees). This is comparable with organisations in both the public and private sectors. The policy is clear, however, that this is the point at which action is considered and managers are encouraged to utilise the discretion afforded them within the policy.
	Nobody is dismissed from the Department without being given time and help to improve their attendance; dismissal is not a step which is taken lightly.

Sick Leave

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many officials in (a) his Department and (b) each of its non-departmental public bodies have had (i) fewer than five days, (ii) five to 10 days, (iii) 10 to 15 days, (iv) 15 to 20 days, (v) 20 to 25 days, (vi) 25 to 50 days, (vii) 50 to 75 days, (viii) 75 to 100 days, (ix) 100 to 150 days, (x) 150 to 200 days, (xi) more than 200 days, (xii) more than three months, (xiii) more than six months and (xiv) more than one year on paid sick leave (A) consecutively and (B) in total in each of the last five years.

Mark Hoban: The information requested is not collated centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Social Security Benefits

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps his Department is taking to ensure that initial decisions on (a) new employment support allowance applications and (b) incapacity benefit reassessments are made correctly.

Mark Hoban: Following recommendations made in Professor Harrington's first independent review of the work capability assessment we have introduced changes to the decision making process. This applies for both employment and support allowance claims and incapacity benefit reassessment cases.
	We have improved the way we communicate with claimants, including enhanced communications to explain the process more clearly. We have also introduced a decision assurance call where the decision maker rings the claimant to discuss the proposed decision and give them the opportunity to provide additional evidence before the final decision is made.
	Additionally, to put the decision makers back at the heart of the process, and empower them to make independent decisions, we have introduced a decision makers reasoning which explains the rationale for each decision.
	To improve the quality of decisions made and in line with the ‘right first time’ approach we have also introduced a regular audit of decision maker performance, where checks are conducted on a sample of both ESA and IB decisions. This is called the quality assessment framework.
	We are not complacent and continue to monitor the operation of the work capability assessment to ensure it is more effective and fairer for all.

Telephone Services

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many (a) 0800, (b) 0808, (c) 0844, (d) 0845 and (e) 0870 telephone numbers for the public are in use by (i) his Department and (ii) the agencies for which he is responsible.

Mark Hoban: The Department delivers 34 ‘0800’ telephone numbers and 200 ‘0845’ telephone numbers. This includes both English and Welsh language lines and Textphones. The Department does not use any 0808, 0844 or 0870 telephone numbers. The Department's operational area encompasses working age, pension age, disability and carers, child maintenance and debt management service lines.

Unemployment: Young People

Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he is taking to address youth unemployment; and if he will make a statement.

Mark Hoban: Jobcentre Plus personal advisers offer a comprehensive menu of help that includes job search support and skills provision. Advisers have the flexibility to tailor support to the individual at the most appropriate point in their claim. Get Britain working measures offer additional support, including Work Clubs, work experience, New Enterprise Allowance, Enterprise Clubs and sector-based work academies.
	The Work programme provides tailored support to those claimants furthest from the labour market. Young claimants are referred to a provider after nine months and those with more challenging barriers to work can be referred at three months. Providers are paid on the results they achieve, and are paid more for supporting the harder to help into work.
	The Youth Contract will provide nearly half a million new opportunities for young people—including wage incentives, incentives to take on apprentices, and extra work experience placements. Extra funding is being made available to support the most vulnerable 16 and 17-year-olds not in education, employment or training into learning, an apprenticeship or job with training.

Welfare Reform Act 2012

Chris Skidmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate what the (a) total and (b) average annual savings of the Welfare Reform Act 2012 has been.

Mark Hoban: The figures are in the following table.
	
		
			 Estimated DWP savings from Welfare Reform Act 2012 measures 
			  £ million 
			 2012/13 595 
			 2013/14 3,010 
			 2014/15 4,485 
			 Total 8,090 
			 Annual average 2,695 
			 Notes: 1. No estimate of actual savings has yet been made, as outturn figures for the first year since the Act are not yet available. 2. Measures included are: Disability living allowance: reform gateway from 2013-14; Lone parent benefits: extend conditionality to those with children aged five and above from October 2011; Social sector: limit working age entitlements to reflect size of family from 2013-14; Switch to CPI indexation for local housing allowance from 2013-14; Contributory employment and support allowance: time limit for those in the work related activity group to one year; Total household benefit payments capped on the basis of average take-home pay for working households; Council tax benefit: 10% reduction in expenditure and localisation; Local housing allowance: transitional protection for existing claimants; Employment and support allowance youth: abolish national insurance concession; Benefit fraud: sanctions and debt recovery; Local housing allowance: baseline for uprating; Changes to the housing benefit social sector size criteria; Discretionary housing payments (i); Discretionary housing payments (ii); Benefit cap: unemployed grace period. Source: HM Treasury's latest published estimates, UK-based, rounded to the nearest £5 million.

Work Capability Assessment

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps his Department is taking to establish the full costs of the decision making process for work capability assessments.

Mark Hoban: The full costs of the decision making process can be described as falling in to two broad categories which are as follows:
	The end to end direct costs of delivering an employment and support allowance benefit decision, and the indirect costs more broadly associated with the work capability assessment (WCA) process.
	The direct costs include:
	Obtaining and inputting data from claimants for new claims and existing claimants following a change of circumstances;
	Processing benefit claims and making referrals to the WCA provider;
	Conducting the work capability assessment;
	The department paying for further medical evidence, so that a fully informed benefit entitlement decision can be made; and
	The department making a decision on benefit entitlement, following receipt of the medical assessment report from the provider.
	The department reconsidering decisions on appeal
	The indirect costs include:
	The cost to HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS);
	The cost to the NHS of doctors' time, where they are contacted by the claimant to support their case or where they are required to provide further medical evidence for appeals; and
	The incremental costs to the NHS relating to the impacts of supporting individuals, who are not awarded ESA.
	The direct costs of delivery are monitored and reported on by the department, but the indirect costs are not. The department intends to commission work on the feasibility of collaboration with other agencies to estimate the full cost of the WCA process by September 2013.

JUSTICE

Pleural Plaques

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what recent representations he has received on compensation for people with pleural plaques.

Helen Grant: We have received a small number of recent representations on pleural plaques from Members of Parliament sent on behalf of their constituents.

Rehabilitation of Offenders

Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what progress he has made on introducing payment by results for the rehabilitation of offenders.

Jeremy Wright: We want to introduce payment by results to incentivise providers to reduce reoffending. It makes sense as a way of improving effectiveness and getting a good deal for the taxpayer.
	The transforming rehabilitation consultation closed on 22 February 2013. We will respond to the consultation and bring forward detailed plans in due course.

Literacy Teaching in Prisons

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what steps he is taking to teach prisoners to read and write.

Jeremy Wright: When literacy needs are identified prisoners are offered teaching and support as a matter of priority. This can take place in classrooms, through peer mentoring, in libraries, at work and during other prison activities.
	A key purpose of the review of the incentives and earned privileges scheme is to ensure that any privileges earned in prison are gained through hard work and appropriate behaviour. This should better incentivise prisoners to address their offending behaviour by engaging with their sentence plan and, for those who need it, by engaging in education.

Retirement Age of Magistrates

Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what plans he has to review the retirement age of magistrates.

Helen Grant: There are currently no plans to undertake a review. The
	retirement age for magistrates is 70 and is set in statute under section 13 of the Courts Act 2003. This is in line with the retirement age for the vast majority of other judicial offices.
	The contribution of magistrates of all ages is valued, however there is no clear business need for change—there are already many more applicants than vacancies within the magistracy and over 80% of magistrates are over 50.
	As well as taking magistrates out of step with other judicial offices, increasing the retirement age would reduce the number of available vacancies and thus reduce opportunities for younger people to become magistrates.

Courts: Closures

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether he intends to announce the closure of any further courts in England and Wales; and what the name and location is of any such courts.

Helen Grant: HM Courts and Tribunals Service continues to keep the use of its estate under review to ensure that it meets operational requirements.

Employment Tribunals Service

Gordon Birtwistle: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the number of tribunals brought against employers by employees for unpaid wages that were successful and resulted in an award to the employee in each year since 2007;
	(2)  how many employment tribunals have been brought against employers by employees for unpaid wages in each year since 2007.

Helen Grant: Data on the number of monetary awards made in relation to complaints about unpaid wages are not collated centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost by trawling hard copy tribunal files or judgments manually. While some data on monetary awards made by employment tribunals are collated centrally, these data only relate to claims for unfair dismissal and certain types of discrimination. These data are published annually and available on the Ministry of Justice website.
	Data on employment tribunal complaints presented in respect of unpaid wages are set out in the following table:
	
		
			 Unauthorised deduction receipts 
			  Complaints received 
			 2007-08 34,600 
			 2008-09 33,800 
			 2009-10 75,500 
			 2010-11 71,300 
			 2011-12 51,200 
			 Source: ET Annual Report 
		
	
	As a proxy for the number of awards made, it is possible to look at the number of claims determined by employment tribunals in favour of claimants. By way of background, employment tribunals have jurisdiction to hear complaints in respect of the failure of an employer to pay wages, or in respect of the unauthorised deductions from wages. All such complaints presented are categorised by employment tribunals under a specific reference code, and management information can be obtained in respect of that work.
	The Ministry of Justice publishes, annually and quarterly, statistical data on workload trends in tribunals including employment tribunals. These data include the volume of complaints presented to, and disposed of by, employment tribunals, broken down by jurisdictional type. This includes reference to complaints for unauthorised deductions from wages. It also includes data on the type of disposal in respect of those complaint types—so it is possible to see the number of ‘successful’ and ‘unsuccessful’ complaints determined at a hearing for all ‘unauthorised deduction’ complaints, for example; or the number of complaints of a particular type that were conciliated or withdrawn.
	Complaints can be presented as free-standing complaints by a claimant; or as one of two or more complaints making up a larger claim. Where two or more complaints make up a claim, the component complaints could have different outcomes—for example one could be ‘successful’ and the other ‘unsuccessful’. Because of this, it is difficult to present data on the outcome of global claims, as distinct from the outcome of the jurisdictional complaints that make up those claims, using the format employed by our published statistics.
	Because the published data relate to workloads at complaints-level (rather than claims-level), and because several complaints can sit within a claim for which an award is made, the number of awards made will not necessarily correlate to the number of component complaints determined underneath that award. Accordingly, it is not possible, from published data, to understand the number of awards (monetary or otherwise) made.

Legal Aid Scheme

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much legal aid was paid out in the case of Mohammed Jamilur Rahman which began in May 2010; to which legal firms and barristers those payments were made; and if he will make a statement.

Jeremy Wright: The damages case brought by Mohammed Jamilur Rahman against the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), is still ongoing. To date payments totalling £19,015, in the form of payments on account, have been made. These costs include VAT and disbursements, and are subject to change pending conclusion of the case and final bills. The legal firm and barristers to which payments have so far been made are: Imran Khan and Partners, Joel Bennathan QC and Jude Bunting.

Legal Aid Scheme

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much was paid to (a) Dinah Rose QC, (b) Richard Hermer QC, (c) Stephanie Harrison, (d) Hugh Southey and (e) Amanda Weston in respect of fees for legal aid work in each year since 2008-09; and if he will make a statement.

Jeremy Wright: The total amount paid by the Legal Services Commission (LSC) to each of the barristers in respect of legal aid work each year since 2008-09, is provided in the following table.
	
		
			 £ 
			  2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 
			 Dinah Rose QC 35,317.76 14,353.12 90,004.03 38,709.38 
			 Richard Hermer QC 94,439.20 32,109.18 33,466.45 79,305.30 
			 Stephanie Harrison 254,074.14 174,704.8 1 156,075.20 117,184.23 
			 Hugh Southey QC 444,469.44 319,387.7 2 297,601.82 209,158.23 
			 Amanda Weston 78,382.52 51,133.86 41,470.03 115,109.15 
		
	
	These figures must be interpreted carefully and do not represent the personal earnings of the individuals listed in any one year. There are a number of reasons for this. First, all the figures shown are inclusive of VAT as paid, and disbursements incurred (e.g. travelling). Individuals must pay that VAT to HM Revenue and Customs.
	Secondly, barristers pay a percentage of their fees towards professional overheads as well as facing the same expenses as any other self employed person, including income tax and national insurance contributions.
	Thirdly, the amounts paid to the individuals include payments for work carried outside the year in which they were paid, for cases that last longer than a year.
	Finally, while these figures represent payments actually made to the individuals during the year, other parties may repay some of this money. For example, in civil cases, this will happen where the legally aided party wins the case and recovers the costs from the opponent. Once those costs are recovered, the legally aided party's solicitor refunds some or all of the money to the LSC. In some cases where costs are recovered from the losing party the actual cost to legal aid may be very little, or even nothing.

Offenders: Fines

Robert Flello: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what steps his Department has taken to collect information on the number of people sentenced to pay fines who (a) have dependent children, (b) have outstanding debts, (c) are in receipt of jobseeker's allowance and (d) are in receipt of housing benefit since September 2012.

Helen Grant: The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) is committed to improving its evidence base and is working with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to improve data available for analysis on the benefit and employment status of offenders.
	The aim is that through a new analytical data share between MOJ, DWP and HMRC, in future MOJ and DWP will hold information on the number of people who are sentenced to a fine who are in receipt of benefits, including jobseeker's allowance and housing benefit. The new data share will not include information on the number of people sentenced to fines that have outstanding debts, but will include partial information on the number who have dependent children. Information on offenders' benefit and employment status and history will be available from 2000 onwards and will be updated each year.
	Once the new data share is in place, information from the new data share will be published at the earliest opportunity.

Prisoners

Harriet Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many of the offenders convicted in the UK were (a) UK nationals, (b) EEA nationals excluding the UK and (c) nationals from countries outside the EEA in the last 12 months.

Jeremy Wright: The Ministry of Justice Court Proceedings Database holds information on defendants proceeded against, found guilty and sentenced for criminal offences in England and Wales. This database holds information on offences provided by the statutes under which proceedings are brought but not the specific circumstances of each case. It is not possible to identify from this centrally held information the nationality of offenders sentenced for criminal offences.

Prisons: Crimes of Violence

Robert Flello: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  how many incidents of prisoner-on-prisoner violence there have been in the (a) secure adult estate and (b) secure youth estate in each year since May 2005; what the nature was of each incident; how many prosecutions resulted; how many of those prosecuted were convicted; and what their sentences were;
	(2)  how many incidents of prisoner on prisioner violence there have been in the secure adult male prison estate in each of the prisoner security categories in each year since May 2005;
	(3)  how many incidents of prisoner on prisoner violence there have been in the secure adult female prison estate in each of the prisoner security categories in each year since May 2005.

Jeremy Wright: The information is as follows:
	(1) The number of prisoner on prisoner assaults in HM Prisons and HM Young Offender Institutes between January 2005 and December 2011 are given in Table 1.
	
		
			 Table 1: Prisoner on prisoner assaults 
			  Number 
			 2005 10,894 
			 2006 11,530 
			 2007 12,018 
			 2008 12,834 
			 2009 12,150 
			 2010 11,252 
			 2011 12,328 
		
	
	Providing the requested information for each of these incidents could be achieved only at disproportionate cost as this would involve manual interpretation of the details of each individual incident to provide a summary of the assault.
	(2) and (3) The information requested is not available as the security category of the prisoner at the time of the incident is not held.

Prisons: Visits

Robert Flello: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much inter-prison visits have cost since May 2010.

Jeremy Wright: The National Offender Management Service (NOMS) Central Accounting System does not separately record the costs of inter-prison visits. Such data could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.
	NOMS policy for the provision of inter-prison visits by prisoners can be found in Prison Service Instruction (PSI) 16/2011 “Providing Visits and Services to Visitors”. The purpose of inter-prison visits is to enable close relatives, where both parties are prisoners at separate establishments, to maintain strong family ties. Inter-prison visits will be granted by the Governor only where security requirements are met. The decision to allow any visit must be balanced against the need to maintain security and keep prisoners in lawful custody. Visits must be well managed, monitored, and where necessary due to inappropriate behaviour, terminated to maintain the good order and discipline of the prison. A copy of PSI 16/2011 can be found at:
	www.justice.gov.uk/offenders/psis

Probation

Meg Hillier: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what plans he has for the future of the probation service; and if he will make a statement.

Jeremy Wright: The transforming rehabilitation consultation closed on 22 February 2013. Our proposed reforms will help reduce reoffending by opening up provision of probation services to a wider range of providers and by extending rehabilitative provision to those serving less than 12 months in prison. We will respond to the consultation and bring forward detailed plans in due course.

Probation

Dave Watts: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what plans he has for the future of the probation service; and if he will make a statement.

Jeremy Wright: The transforming rehabilitation consultation closed on 22 February 2013. Our proposed reforms will help reduce reoffending by opening up provision of probation services to a wider range of providers and by extending rehabilitative provision to those serving less than 12 months in prison. We will respond to the consultation and bring forward detailed plans in due course.

Probation Trusts

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what recent assessment he has made of (a) the Northamptonshire Probation Trust and (b) other probation trusts in England and Wales.

Jeremy Wright: The performance of probation trusts is kept under constant review. The Ministry of Justice publishes annually the probation trust performance ratings and other measures of performance, including completion rates for orders and licences and for community payback requirements. These can be viewed at:
	http://www.justice.gov.uk/statistics/prisons-and-probation/prison-probation-performance-info

Small Claims: Essex

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the recent performance of HM Courts Service in relation to small claims in (a) Southend-on-Sea and (b) Essex;
	(2)  what the average waiting time was from allocation to hearing for small claims at Southend county court in each of the last five years for which figures are available;
	(3)  what the average payment was to successful claimants in small claims cases heard by county courts where the claimant (a) had and (b) did not have legal representation in each year since 2003;
	(4)  in (a) how many and (b) what proportion of small claims cases heard by county courts claimants had legal representation in each year since 2003;
	(5)  what the average time taken from allocation to hearing for small claims was in each county court in Essex in each of the last five years.

Helen Grant: Southend and Essex county courts assess small claims performance in two key areas: the timeliness of cases that have a final court hearing; and the settlement rate. Table 1 as follows shows the average time in weeks for each court in Essex from allocation to hearing for small claims cases that went to hearing from January 2008 to September 2012. Between January and September 2012 Southend-on-Sea was 15 weeks, the same as the national figure. Data for the quarter to December 2012 will be published on 28 March 2013. We are constantly reviewing listing practices to improve timeliness in this area. In the 12 months to September 2012 Southend had a settlement rate for small claims of 87%, Essex overall, 77%, and England and Wales 76%.
	HMCTS is still investigating whether we can answer questions 148094 and 148095 but are unable to produce the necessary data in the time available and will provide an answer to these questions at a later date. I will write to my hon. Friend with the information as soon as my officials can provide it.
	
		
			 Table 1: Average time between allocation and hearing (weeks) for small claims(1), in each county court in Essex, 2008 to September 2012 
			 Court name 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 January-September(3) 
			 Basildon Combined Court 13 14 12 11 12 
			 Chelmsford County and Family Proceedings Court 12 16 13 13 14 
			 Colchester County Court 12 13 13 15 15 
			 Harlow County Court(2) 15 15 17 17 — 
			 Southend County Court 15 15 13 13 15 
			 (1) Figures relate to cases whose trials or small claims hearings took place during the relevant year. For many cases the original date of issue and allocation date will have been in an earlier period. (2) Harlow County Court closed on 1 April 2011. (3) Provisional. Note: Data for October to December 2012 will be available from the end of March 2013. Source: HM Courts and Tribunals Service CaseMan system.

Small Claims: Greater London

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  how many people in (a) Dagenham and (b) Romford constituency have taken cases to the small claims court in the latest period for which figures are available;
	(2)  how many people in Havering have taken cases to the small claims court in the last 12 months.

Helen Grant: Information on the number of cases taken to the small claims courts broken down by constituency or local authority is not held centrally by the Ministry of Justice.

Tobacco: Smuggling

Stephen McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what assessment he has made of the adequacy of guidelines on sentencing for offences relating to the smuggling and supply of illegal and counterfeit tobacco products.

Jeremy Wright: The Government is satisfied that the maximum penalties available for the relevant offences give the courts sufficient powers to deal with the cases which come before them. Tough maximum penalties are available for these offences either 10 years imprisonment for fraud or seven years for duty evasion. Sentencing guidelines are a matter for the independent Sentencing Council.

Travellers: Sussex

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many successful prosecutions have been brought by Sussex Police against people involved in illegal encampment in each of the last five years.

Jeremy Wright: The number of persons proceeded against at magistrates courts and found guilty at all courts for the offences of being a trespasser and failing to leave land when directed or returning to land within three months of being directed to leave, in the Sussex police force area, for the years 2007 to 2011, can be viewed in the table.
	Court proceedings data for 2012 are planned for publication in May 2013.
	
		
			 Persons proceeded against at magistrates courts and found guilty at all courts for the offences of being a trespasser and failing to leave land when directed or returning to land within three months of being directed to leave(1), in the Sussex police force area, 2007-11(2,3) 
			  Proceeded against Found guilty 
			 2007 0 0 
			 2008 0 0 
			 2009 0 0 
			 2010 0 0 
			 2011 2 2 
			 (1) Offences under section 61(4)(a) and 61(4)(b) of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994. (2) The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. (3) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice

WALES

Domestic Visits

Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many times he has visited each parliamentary constituency in Wales since taking up his post.

Stephen Crabb: Since our appointments the Secretary of State for Wales, my right hon. Friend the Member for Clwyd West (Mr Jones), the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, my noble Friend Baroness Randerson, and I have, between us, visited the following parliamentary constituencies in Wales:
	
		
			 Constituency Visits 
			 Aberconwy 2 
			 Alyn and Deeside 4 
			 Arfon 1 
			 Cardiff Central 46 
			 Cardiff South and Penarth 3 
			 Cardiff West 1 
		
	
	
		
			 Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire 3 
			 Clywyd South I 
			 Ctwyd West 3 
			 Islwyn 1 
			 Monmouthshire 1 
			 Newport East 4 
			 Newport West 2 
			 Preseli Pembrokeshire 1 
			 Rhondda 1 
			 Swansea West 2 
			 Vale of Glamorgan 3 
			 Ynys Mon 3

Public Expenditure

Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment his Department has made of the effect of Government spending reductions on women in Wales.

Stephen Crabb: In non-devolved policy areas UK Government Departments publish impact assessments and equality impact assessments which are available on their websites. Decisions on the allocation of the Welsh Block Budget is of course a matter for the Welsh Government who publish their own impact and equality impact assessments.